FORM 4 ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS

CHAPTER 1: FUNCTIONS

1 a) Vertical line test

To determine whether a graph of a relation is a function
Keywords: When the vertical line test is carried out, the vertical line cuts the graph at (only one point/
more than one point). Hence, the graph is (a function/ not a function).

b) Horizontal line test

To determine whether a graph of a function has an inverse function
Keywords: When the horizontal line test is carried out, the horizontal line cuts the graph of function f at
(only one point/ more than one point). The function f (is/ is not) a one-to-one function. Thus, function f
(has/ does not have) an inverse function.

*draw the line if graph is given

2 If the answer of a function is in fraction form, must include the condition, 𝑥 ≠ ……

3𝑥
𝑓 (𝑥) = , 𝑥 ≠ 5 [N1]
𝑥−5

3 Composite function: 𝑔𝑓(𝑥)

𝑓 (𝑥) = 3𝑥
𝑔(3𝑥) = 2𝑥 − 7
Hence, 𝑔[𝑓 (𝑥)] = 2𝑥 − 7

4 To prove that 𝑔(𝑥) is the inverse function of 𝑓(𝑥)

Solution: Show that 𝑓𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑔𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥

5 If it involves ±, solve separately.

|𝑥 + 3| = 9
𝑥 + 3 = 9 or 𝑥 + 3 = −9

6 If you’re introducing a new variable, always state what it represents.

Let the number of bicycles = a

7 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) is the reflection of 𝑓(𝑥) in the line 𝑦 = 𝑥.

(𝑎, 𝑏) on 𝑓(𝑥) will become (𝑏, 𝑎) on 𝑓 −1 (𝑥)

8 Given 𝑓𝑔(𝑥) and

a) 𝑔(𝑥). Find 𝑓(𝑥).
- Find inverse of 𝑔(𝑥), i.e. 𝑔−1 (𝑥).
- Hence 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑓𝑔[𝑔−1 (𝑥)]
b) 𝑓(𝑥). Find 𝑔(𝑥).
- Sub. 𝑔(𝑥) into 𝑓(𝑥) and compare.
- 𝑓[𝑔(𝑥)] = 𝑓𝑔(𝑥)
- [sub. g(x) into f(x)] = [fg(x) given by question]

Page 1 of 7 Prepared with love by Pn. ChanCP

 CHAPTER 2: QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS

1 Shape of graph of a function 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

𝑎 > 0 (u shape), 𝑎 < 0 (n shape)

2 Solving quadratic equation (finding the roots)

a) Completing the square method
2
3 2 3 2
𝑥 + 3𝑥 + ( ) − ( ) + 4 = 0
2 2
2
−3 −3 2
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + ( ) + 4 − ( ) = 0
2 2
* Coefficient of 𝑥 2 must be 1
𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 2 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 2
* Must show + ( 2
) and − (
2
) [K1]

b) Formula method
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0
−𝑏 ± √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

3 𝑥 2 − (𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠)𝑥 + (𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠) = 0 or (𝑥 − 𝛼 )(𝑥 − 𝛽 ) = 0

𝑏
Sum of roots: 𝛼 + 𝛽 = − 𝑎
𝑐
Product of roots: 𝛼𝛽 =
𝑎
* 𝛼 2 + 𝛽2 = (𝛼 + 𝛽)2 − 2𝛼𝛽
* DO NOT write short form S.O.R or P.O.R = 𝛼 + 𝛽 𝑜𝑟 𝛼𝛽

4 Solving quadratic inequalities

a) Graph sketching method
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 5) ≥ 0 (show factorisation [K1])
- Don’t state (𝒙 + 𝟐)(𝒙 − 𝟓) = 𝟎 [K0]
- Take the range where the graph is above (≥ 0) or below (≤ 0) x-axis.
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 5) ≥ 0 , thus 𝑥 ≤ −2 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ≥ 5

b) Number line method

- Must draw number line and do test points
with + and – sign [K1]
- Remember to state final answer
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 5) ≥ 0 , thus 𝑥 ≤ −2 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 ≥ 5

c) Table method
Almost similar to number line method but in table form
(textbook page 43)
Range of values of x
𝑥 ≤ −2 −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5 𝑥≥5
(𝑥 + 2) - + +
(𝑥 − 5) - - +
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 5) + - +

5 To determine the types of roots, use discriminant (𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐)

a) 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0 , the equation has no real roots
b) 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0 , the equation has two equal real roots
c) 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 > 0 , the equation has two real and different roots

Page 2 of 7 Prepared with love by Pn. ChanCP

6 Quadratic functions
Vertex (maximum/ Maximum/
Axis of symmetry, x
minimum point) Minimum value
a) General form, 𝑏 𝑏 𝑏 𝑏
𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 (− , 𝑓 (− )) 𝑥=− 𝑓 (− )
2𝑎 2𝑎 2𝑎 2𝑎
b) Intercept form, 𝑝+𝑞 𝑝+𝑞 𝑝+𝑞 𝑝+𝑞
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑝)(𝑥 − 𝑞) ( ,𝑓( )) 𝑥= 𝑓( )
2 2 2 2
c) Vertex form,
𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒂(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + 𝒌
(ℎ, 𝑘) 𝑥=ℎ 𝑘
* Use completing the square
method to get this form

7 Changes in shape and position of graph of function 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

(Textbook page 58 – 59)

8 Sketching graph of quadratic function

1m – label x-intercept, y-intercept and maximum/ minimum point
1m – shape (smooth curve, u or n shape)
* Both axes must be drawn with ruler

CHAPTER 3: SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS

1 If new variables are used to represent values, state clearly.

Let the price of an apple = a, the price of an orange = b

2 1m – from 3 equations with 3 variables, eliminate 1 of the variables to form 2 equations with only 2 variables
1m – use substitution or elimination method to solve the two variables
1m – use substitution method to find the value of 3rd variable
* 1m – 2m – list the variables with answers one by one

3 Types of solutions by solving systems of linear equations in three variables

a) One solution: the planes intersect at only one point (there is one value for each variable)
b) Infinite solution: the planes intersect along a straight line (solution ends with 0 = 0 )
c) No solution: the planes do not intersect at any point (solution ends with 0 = any numbers except 0)

CHAPTER 4: INDICES, SURDS AND LOGARITHMS

1 Law of indices:
a) 𝑎 𝑚 × 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛
b) 𝑎 𝑚 ÷ 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚−𝑛
c) (𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛
Proving the laws (Textbook page 114)

2 To solve the equation, make sure to change both sides to the same base. Then compare the indices.
3𝑥−1 = 9𝑥+3
3𝑥−1 = (32 )𝑥+3 [K1]
𝑥 − 1 = 2(𝑥 + 3)

3 a) Irrational numbers: decimals that cannot be converted to fractions

b) Rational numbers: decimals that can be converted to fractions

Page 3 of 7 Prepared with love by Pn. ChanCP

 c) Recurring decimals: decimals that can be converted to fractions (0.131313… or 0. ̅13
̅̅̅ or 0. 1̇3̇

d) Surds: numbers with radicals, √ , that have infinite decimals and are non-recurring.
Similar surds: numbers with the same irrational factors, eg. 2√3, 5√3

4 Convert recurring decimals to fractions

(Read the question properly as there is another method by using geometric progression: sum to infinity)
Let 𝑁 = 0.131313 … ------(1)
(1) × 100 (depending on how many decimal places in order to eliminate the recurring digits)
100𝑁 = 13.131313 … -------(2)
(2) − (1) in order to eliminate the recurring digits:
99𝑁 = 13 (you should get whole number on right hand side)
13
𝑁 = 99
13
Hence, 0.131313 … =
99

5 Rationalising the denominators using conjugate surds

1 1 5√3
a) = × [K1]
5√3 5√3 5√3
1 1 5√3−2√7
b) 5√3+2√7
= 5√3+2√7
× 5√3−2√7
1 1 5√3+2√7
c) = ×
5√3−2√7 5√3−2√7 5√3+2√7

6 Laws of logarithm: (a, x and y are positive, 𝑎 ≠ 1)

a) log 𝑎 𝑥𝑦 = log 𝑎 𝑥 + log 𝑎 𝑦
𝑥
b) log 𝑎 𝑦 = log 𝑎 𝑥 − log 𝑎 𝑦
c) log 𝑎 𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑛 log 𝑎 𝑥

log𝑐 𝑏
log 𝑎 𝑏 =
log𝑐 𝑎
log 𝑎 𝑎 = 1 , log 𝑎 1 = 0

7 To prove an equation, start working from left side to get same as right side or vice versa.
Never work on both sides at the same time! [K0]

CHAPTER 5: PROGRESSIONS

1 Arithmetic progression:
Substitute values into formula [K1]
a) 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
b) 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑆𝑛 − 𝑆𝑛−1
𝑛 𝑛
c) Sum of the first n term, 𝑆𝑛 = 2 [2𝑎 − (𝑛 − 1)𝑑] or 𝑆𝑛 = 2 [𝑎 + 𝑇𝑛 ]

2 To prove that a sequence is

a) an arithmetic progression:
𝑑 = 𝑇2 − 𝑇1 = 𝑇3 − 𝑇2 = 𝑇𝑛 − 𝑇𝑛−1

b) a geometric progression:
𝑇 𝑇 𝑇
𝑟 = 𝑇2 = 𝑇3 = 𝑇 𝑛
1 2 𝑛−1

3 Geometric progression:
Substitute values into formula [K1]
a) 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1

Page 4 of 7 Prepared with love by Pn. ChanCP

 b) 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑆𝑛 − 𝑆𝑛−1
𝑎(𝑟𝑛 −1)
c) 𝑆𝑛 = ,𝑟≠1
𝑟−1
𝑎
d) Sum to infinity, 𝑆∞ = 1−𝑟 (can be used to convert recurring decimals to fractions)

4 𝑎(𝑟𝑛 −1)
Proving 𝑆𝑛 = 𝑟−1 , 𝑟 ≠ 1
(Textbook page 144)

CHAPTER 6: LINEAR LAW

1 Line of best fit

a) A straight line passing through as many points as possible (mostly touching at least 4 points) [K1/N1]
b) If there are 2 points out of line, make sure they are evenly distributed (1 on top, another at the bottom
of line)

2 Non-linear equation can be converted into linear equation 𝑌 = 𝑚𝑋 + 𝑐, where

- X and Y consist of one or more variables.
- m is the gradient of the straight line
- c is the Y-intercept
** Both m and c must only contain constants (numbers) only
3
Eg.: 𝑦 = + 5𝑥 (non-linear)
𝑥
× 𝑥; 𝑥𝑦 = 5𝑥 2 + 3 (𝑌 = 𝑥𝑦, 𝑋 = 𝑥 2 , 𝑚 = 5, 𝑐 = 3)
𝑦 3 𝑦 1
Or ÷ 𝑥; 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 5 (𝑌 = 𝑥 , 𝑋 = 𝑥 2 , 𝑚 = 3, 𝑐 = 5)

3 For linear law questions:

a) All values in table are correct [K1]
b) Graph:
- Correct scale and at least 1 point is plotted correctly [K1]
- All points are plotted correctly [K1]
- Line of best fit (pass through at least 4 points) [N1]
c) Change non-linear equation to linear form (refer to x- and y-axis used to draw line of best fit to determine
the Y and X for linear form) [K1]
𝑦 −𝑦
d) Determine the gradient, m by using points along line of best fit. (Gradient = 𝑥2 −𝑥1 )
2 1
e) Identify y-intercept from graph

CHAPTER 7: COORDINATE GEOMETRY

1 Divisor of line segment:

a)

b) Proving the formula for divisor of line segment

(Textbook page 178)

2 Parallel lines having same gradient: m1 = m2

3 Perpendicular lines: m1 m2 = −1 [Writing this equation gives K1]

2 3
Eg.: 3 × 𝑚𝐴𝐵 = −1 [K1] 𝑚𝐴𝐵 = − 2
Page 5 of 7 Prepared with love by Pn. ChanCP
4 1 𝑥1 𝑥2 𝑥3 𝑥4 𝑥1
Area of polygon = 2 |𝑦 𝑦2 𝑦3 𝑦4 𝑦1 |
1
𝟏
= 𝟐 |(𝒙𝟏 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒙𝟐 𝒚𝟑 + 𝒙𝟑 𝒚𝟒 + 𝒙𝟒 𝒚𝟏 ) − (𝒚𝟏 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 𝒙𝟑 + 𝒚𝟑 𝒙𝟒 + 𝒚𝟒 𝒙𝟏 )| [K1]
* Must show substitution one by one. No simplifying!

5 Equation of locus:
a) Locus P which moves such that its distance is r units from a fixed point A:
𝑟 2 = (𝑥 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )2

b) Locus P (x, y) which moves such that its distance from point A (x1, y1) and B
(x2, y2) is in the ratio of m: n
(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )2 𝑚 2
=
(𝑥 − 𝑥2 )2 + (𝑦 − 𝑦2 )2 𝑛2

𝑛√(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )2 = 𝑚√(𝑥 − 𝑥2 )2 + (𝑦 − 𝑦2 )2 [Sub. P1]

c) Locus P is always equidistant from two fixed points, A (x1, y1) and B (x2, y2), then the locus is a
perpendicular bisector of line AB:
√(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )2 = √(𝑥 − 𝑥2 )2 + (𝑦 − 𝑦2 )2 [Sub. P1]

* Must show substitution one by one. No simplifying!

CHAPTER 8: VECTORS

2 Show the route to get the required vector

Eg.: ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐶 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗𝐴𝐵 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐶 [P1]
= (5𝑖 + 3𝑗) + (2𝑖 − 4𝑗)
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐶 = 7𝑖 − 𝑗 [N1]

3 Negative vector
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐴 = −𝐴𝐵⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

4 Magnitude, |𝑟| = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 (similar to Pythagoras Theorem)

5 Vectors in Cartesian plane:

a) 𝑖 is parallel with x-axis; 𝑗 is parallel with y-axis.
Both 𝑖 and 𝑗 have magnitude of 1.
𝑥
b) Vector can be expressed as column vector (𝑦) or 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗

6 𝑥𝑖+𝑦𝑗
Unit vector in the direction of 𝑟 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 is 𝑟̂ = [sub. K1]
√𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
Unit vector has a magnitude of 1. (|𝑟| = 1)

Page 6 of 7 Prepared with love by Pn. ChanCP

7 To show vectors are parallel/ collinear (on the same straight line), start with:
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝜆𝐶𝐷
𝐴𝐵 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ [P1]
Find the value(s) of 𝜆 [K1], then rewrite the equation and statement if they are parallel/not.
Eg.: ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 = −2𝐶𝐷 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ , ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐴𝐵 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐶𝐷 are parallel vectors

CHAPTER 9: SOLUTIONS OF TRIANGLES

1 Sine rule:
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵 sin 𝐶
a) sin 𝐴 = sin 𝐵 = sin 𝐶 or 𝑎 = 𝑏 = 𝑐 [sub. K1]
b) Ambiguous case (sketch the triangle to see ambiguous case’s triangle)

* Will have 2 answers for ∠𝐴𝐶𝐵

* If required to sketch, use ruler. Ensure obvious
obtuse angle either for ∠𝐴𝐶𝐵 or ∠𝐴𝐵𝐶, depending on question

2 Cosine rule:
𝑎2 = 𝑏2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑏𝑐 cos 𝐴 [Sub. before rearranging to find answer, K1]
* More commonly used

3 Area of triangle ABC

1
a) ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 = 2 𝑎𝑏 sin 𝐶 [Sub. K1]
b) Heron’s formula:
𝑎+𝑏+𝑐
Semi perimeter, 𝑠 = 2
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = √𝑠(𝑠 − 𝑎)(𝑠 − 𝑏)(𝑠 − 𝑐) [Sub. K1]
* Both can be used to find area of triangle, depending on which side/ angle is available

4 Use letters provided on diagram. If really need to introduce a new variable, put a note “Let ….” to explain
before solving.

CHAPTER 10: INDEX NUMBERS

1 𝑄
a) Index number, 𝐼 = 𝑄1 × 100 (If 𝐼 > 100 , price/ quantity increased and vice versa)
0

Σ𝐼𝑖 𝑤𝑖
b) Composite index, 𝐼 ̅ = Σ𝑤𝑖

c) Find the index number of year 2024 based on year 2022

𝑎×𝑏
c, 𝐼2024/2022 = 100

2 Substitute values according to formula [K1]

Never simplify the operations while substituting.

3 Even though total weightage is 100%, show the sum by listing each weightage:
60+20+15+5

** All final answers in 4 significant figures or 2 decimal places except angles in 2 decimal places.

Page 7 of 7 Prepared with love by Pn. ChanCP