EXAMINATION HINTS

Before the examination

Obtain a copy of the formulae book – and use it!
Write a list of and LEARN any formulae not in the formulae book
Learn basic definitions
Make sure you know how to use your calculator!
Practise all the past papers - TO TIME!

At the start of the examination

Read the instructions on the front of the question paper and/or answer booklet
Open your formulae book at the relevant page

During the examination

Read the WHOLE question before you start your answer
Start each question on a new page (traditionally marked papers) or
Make sure you write your answer within the space given for the question (on-line marked papers)
Draw clear well-labelled diagrams
Look for clues or key words given in the question
Show ALL your working - including intermediate stages
Write down formulae before substituting numbers
Make sure you finish a ‘prove’ or a ‘show’ question – quote the end result
Don’t fudge your answers (particularly if the answer is given)!
Don’t round your answers prematurely
Make sure you give your final answers to the required/appropriate degree of accuracy
Check details at the end of every question (e.g. particular form, exact answer)
Take note of the part marks given in the question
If your solution is becoming very lengthy, check the original details given in the question
If the question says “hence” make sure you use the previous parts in your answer
Don’t write in pencil (except for diagrams) or red ink
Write legibly!
Keep going through the paper – go back over questions at the end if time

At the end of the examination

If you have used supplementary paper, fill in all the boxes at the top of every page
 C2 KEY POINTS

C2 Algebra and functions

Algebraic division by (x ± a)
Remainder theorem: When f(x) is divided by (x – a), f(x) = (x – a)Q(x) + R where Q(x) is
the quotient and R is the remainder
Factor theorem: If f(a) = 0 then (x – a) is a factor of f(x)

C2 Coordinate geometry
Circle, centre (0, 0) radius r: x2 + y2 = r2
Circle centre (a, b) radius r: (x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r2
Useful circle facts:
The angle between the tangent and the radius is 90°
Tangents drawn from a common point to a circle are equal in length
The centre of a circle is on the perpendicular bisector of any chord
The angle subtended by a diameter at the circumference is 90°

C2 Sequences and Series

A geometric series is a series in which each term is obtained from the previous term by multiplying
by a constant called the common ratio, r
a(1 − r n ) a
nth term = arn–1, Sn = , S∞ = where |r| < 1.
1− r 1− r

The following expansions are valid for all n ∈ N:

(a + b)n = a n + n C1 a n −1b + n C 2 a n −1b 2 + ... + n C r a n − r b r + ... + b n

n(n − 1) 2 n(n − 1)(n − 2)
(1 + x)n = 1 + nx + n C 2 x 2 + ... + n C r x r + ... + x n = 1 + nx + x + + ... + x n
2! 3!
n!
where nCr =
r!(n − r )!

C2 Trigonometry
a b c
Sine rule = = and ambiguous case
sin A sin B sin C
b2 + c2 − a2
Cosine rule a2 = b2 + c2 – 2bccosA or cosA =
2bc
Area of ∆ABC = ½absinC
1
sinx° = cos(90 – x)°, cosx° = sin(90 – x)°, tanx° =
tan(90° − x)
Graphs of trigonometric functions
sin(–x) = –sinx, cos(–x) = cosx, tan(–x) = tanx
sin30° = cos60° = ½, cos30° = sin60° = 23 , tan30° = 1
3
, tan 60° = 3
cos45° = sin45° = 1
2
, tan45° = 1

Degrees 360° 180° 90° 45° 60° 30° 270° 120° 135° etc
Radians 2π π π
2
π
4
π
3
π
6
3π
2
2π
3
3π
4

Arc length = rθ , Area of sector = ½r2θ (θ in radians)

 (180 – θ)° θ°

S A

T C
(180 + θ)° (360 – θ)°

sin θ
cos2θ + sin2θ = 1, tanθ =
cos θ

C2 Exponentials and Logarithms

If y = ax then logay = x
p
Laws of logarithms: logapq = logap + logaq, loga = logap – logaq, logaxn = n.logax
q
log b x
Other useful results: logax = , loga1 = 0, logaa = 1
log b a

f: x → ax x ∈ R a > 0 (a is constant) y

is an exponential function, e.g. 72x+4 y = ax, a > 0

1

Solve equations of the form ax = b O x

C2 Differentiation
dy d2 y
If = 0 and > 0 the stationary point is a minimum turning point
dx dx 2
dy d2 y
If = 0 and < 0 the stationary point is a maximum turning point
dx dx 2
dy dy
For an increasing function, > 0, for a decreasing function, <0
dx dx
Maxima and minima problems: (a) Find the point at which f´(x) = 0. (b) Find the nature of the
turning point to confirm that the value is a maximum or minimum as required. (c) Make sure that all
parts of the question have been answered (e.g. finding the maximum/minimum as well as the value
of x at which it occurs).

C2 Integration
b
∫ f(x) dx ∫ f ( x) dx = [F( x)]
b
If = F(x) + c then a = F(b) – F(a)
a
b
If y > 0 for a ≤ x ≤ b, then area is given by A = ∫ y dx
a

Trapezium rule
b
b−a
∫ f ( x) dx ≈
a
1
2 h[y0 + yn + 2(y1 + ... + yn–1)] where yi = f(a + ih) and h =
n