Syllabus

Cambridge O Level Mathematics (Syllabus D) 4024. Syllabus for O-I final examinations in 2019. The new
chapters to be covered are written in bold in the reference section.

Theme or Topic Subject Content Reference

1. Number Identify and use: Book 1:

• Natural numbers Chapter 1
• Integers (positive, negative and zero) Chapter 2
• Prime numbers
• Square numbers
• Cube numbers
• Common factors and common multiples
• Rational and irrational numbers (e.g. √2 )
• Real numbers
2. Squares, square roots, cubes Calculate Book 1:
and cube roots • Squares Chapter 1
• Square roots Chapter 2
• Cubes and cube roots of numbers

3. Directed numbers • Use directed numbers in practical situations Book 1:

Chapter 2

4. Vulgar and decimal • Use the language and notation of simple vulgar and decimal fractions and Book 1:
fractions and percentages in appropriate contexts Chapter 2
percentages • Recognise equivalence and convert between these forms

5. Standard form • Use the standard form A 10n, where n is a positive or negative integer, and 1 Book 3:
< A < 10. Chapter 4

6. The four operations Use the four operations for calculations with: Book 1:
• Whole numbers Chapter 2
• Decimals
• Vulgar (and mixed) fractions including correct ordering of operations and use of
brackets.

7. Limits of accuracy • Give appropriate upper and lower bounds for data given to a specified Book 3:
accuracy Chapter 3
• Obtain appropriate upper and lower bounds to solutions of simple problems
given to a specified accuracy

8. Percentages • Calculate a given percentage of a quantity Book 1:

• Express one quantity as a percentage of another Chapter 8
• Calculate percentage increase or decrease
• Carry out calculations involving reverse percentages Book 3:
Chapter 5
9. Use of an electronic calculator • Use an electronic calculator efficiently Book 1:
• Apply appropriate checks of accuracy Chapter 2
• Enter a range of measures including ‘time’ Chapter 4
• Interpret the calculator display appropriately
Book 2:
Chapter 11
10. Time • Calculate times in terms of the 24-hour and 12-hour clock Book 1:
• Read clocks, dials and timetables Chapter 9

11. Money • Solve problems involving money and convert from one currency to another Book 3:
Chapter 5
12. Personal and small • Use given data to solve problems on personal and small business finance Book 3:
business finance involving earnings, simple interest and compound interest Chapter 5
• Extract data from tables and charts

13. Algebraic representation • Use letters to express generalised numbers and express arithmetic processes Book 1:
and formulae algebraically Chapter 4
• Substitute numbers for words and letters in formulae Chapter 5
• Construct and transform formulae and equations
Book 2:
Chapter 2

Book 3:
Chapter 1

14. Algebraic manipulation • Manipulate directed numbers Book 1:

• Use brackets and extract common factors Chapter 4
• Expand product of algebraic expressions
• Factorise where possible expressions of the form: Book 2:
ax + bx + kay + kby Chapter 3
a2x2 – b2y2 Chapter 4
a2 + 2ab + b2 Chapter 6
ax2 + bx + c
• Manipulate algebraic fractions
• Factorise and simplify rational expressions

15. Indices • Understand and use the rules of indices Book 3:

• Use and interpret positive, negative, fractional and zero indices Chapter 4

16. Solutions of equations • Solve simple linear equations in one unknown Book 1:
and inequalities • Solve fractional equations with numerical and linear algebraic denominators Chapter 5
• Solve simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns
• Solve quadratic equations by factorisation, completing the square or by use of Book 2:
the formula Chapter 2
• Solve simple linear inequalities Chapter 5

Book 3:
Chapter 1
Chapter 3
17. Function notation • Use function notation, e.g. f(x) = 3x – 5; f : x → 3x – 5, to describe simple Book 2:
functions Chapter 7
• Find inverse functions f–1(x)
Book 3:
Chapter 2
18. Coordinate geometry • Demonstrate familiarity with Cartesian coordinates in two dimensions Book 1:
• Find the gradient of a straight line Chapter 6
• Calculate the gradient of a straight line from the coordinates of two points on it
• Calculate the length and the coordinates of the midpoint of a line segment Book 2:
from the coordinates of its end points Chapter 2
• Interpret and obtain the equation of a straight line graph in the form y = mx + c
• Determine the equation of a straight line parallel to a given line Book 3:
• Find the gradient of parallel and perpendicular lines Chapter 6