GCSE

Additional Mathematics
Paper 1: Pure Mathematics
Examination Tips

Below is a collection of useful tips for students sitting Paper 1: Pure Mathematics.

Topic

Tips

Trigonometric Graphs

Sine and cosine graphs

Show the basic wave shape, the turning points and label the points
where they cross the axes.

Be careful to draw smooth curves rather than points.

Tangent graphs
Show the basic shape, label the points where it crosses the axes and
indicate the asymptotes.
Trigonometric Equations

Trigonometry Applied to

Make sure you give answers in the region asked for in the question, for
example 00 to 1800 or -1800 to 1800 etc.

Make sure you give all the possible correct solutions in the required
region.

Make sure you use the appropriate technique for each part of the
question.

When finding an angle, look at the marks awarded for that part of the
question. If there are only 1 or 2 marks, then use ordinary geometry as
the most appropriate method.

If one of the angles is a right angle, then use SohCahToa rather than
the sine rule or the cosine rule.

Do not redraw the given diagram. Instead, for each part of the
question, draw out the appropriate 2-dimensional diagram which will
normally be a triangle.

If the triangle drawn does not contain enough values to answer the
question, look for a different triangle that does.

Remember that in these questions, you normally use previous answers

to obtain the next answer.

You must use matrices to solve simultaneous equations when this

method is asked for.

You must be able to add, subtract and multiply matrices.

You need to know that if detA = O, then the matrix A will have no
inverse.

You must write each answer clearly ie x = . and y = ..

Problems

Matrices

Paper 1: Pure Mathematics Examination Tips

Topic

Tips

Change any terms where x is in the denominator to the appropriate

negative power of x before differentiating.

Remember that differentiating the equation of a curve gives the

gradient function for any value of x.

The tangent to a curve is a straight line, and so you should use y = mx +

c to work out its equation.

Remember that a line or curve crosses the x-axis when y = 0 and

crosses the y-axis when x = 0.

Label each expression clearly and correctly.

You must clearly show how you worked out whether a turning point was
a maximum or a minimum. You can use the sign of the second
derivative at the turning point, or consider the sign of the first
derivative just to either side of the turning point. For example, in
2006 Paper 1 Question 11(ii) reads: You must prove which point is a
maximum and which point is a minimum.

The sketch must show the turning points and where the curve crosses
the axes.

Change any terms where x is in the denominator to the appropriate

negative power of x before integrating.

Remember to always include the constant of integration.

When finding the area between a curve and the x-axis, first find where
the curve crosses the x-axis by putting y = 0.

The answer for the area must always be given as a positive value.

Quadratic Equations

Use the quadratic formula when the question asks for decimal places or
significant figures. Otherwise, factorise the equation (you can still use
the formula if you cant spot the factors).

Cubic Equations

There will always be a common factor involving x.

Take out the common factor and solve the remaining quadratic
equation as above. Remember that there should be three roots.

Exponential Equations

Take logarithms of both sides.

Equations Involving

You are normally asked to show that the addition or subtraction

simplifies to a given algebraic fraction.

Differentiation

Turning Points and Curve

Sketching

Integration

Addition or Subtraction of

Paper 1: Pure Mathematics Examination Tips

Algebraic Fractions

Topic
Simultaneous Linear

Tips

You are normally asked to show that the three variables x, y and z
satisfy three given equations.

You must solve the three given equations even if you found different
ones.

The answers normally work out exactly. Check your working carefully if
they dont.

Understand the relationship between logarithms and indices.

Remember that logaa = 1 and loga1 = 0.

When drawing straight line graphs to prove exponential relationships,

you must label the axes clearly.

Give the logarithms of the two variables to at least three significant

figures in the table. Then plot the points to as good a degree of
accuracy as the scale allows.

When finding one of the unknown values, it is often simpler and more
accurate to use the points in the table of logarithms and the gradient
formula rather than choosing points from the graph.

Find the other unknown value by using the original exponential

equation and a point from the original table.

Equations

Logarithms

You should then use this simplified expression in the second part of the
question. Do so even if you were not able to prove it or if you found a
different answer.

Paper 1: Pure Mathematics Examination Tips