CSEC Additional Mathematics - Detailed
Summarized Exam Guide
Section 1: Algebra, Sequences and Series
• Algebra: Perform operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) with polynomials and
rational expressions. Factorize expressions up to degree 4.
• Use Remainder and Factor Theorems to solve and evaluate unknown coefficients.
• Quadratics: Complete the square, find maximum/minimum values, determine roots using
discriminant D = b² - 4ac, solve quadratic equations and those reducible to quadratic form.
• Graph quadratic functions, identify intercepts, axis of symmetry, and vertex.
• Simultaneous equations: Solve systems where one equation is linear and the other quadratic or
a circle equation.
• Inequalities: Solve quadratic and rational inequalities (ax+b / cx+d > 0 type). Represent solution
sets using set notation or graphs.
• Surds: Simplify, rationalize denominators, perform operations. Indices: Laws of indices, solve
exponential equations (linear and quadratic forms).
• Logarithms: Laws of logs, solve equations, transform exponential to linear form using logs,
apply to real problems.
• Sequences: Define nth term, identify arithmetic and geometric sequences. Series: Define as
sum of terms of sequence.
• Find sum of arithmetic and geometric series (finite/infinite). Apply to real-world contexts like
investments, population growth. Understand convergence/divergence of series.
Section 2: Coordinate Geometry, Vectors, and
Trigonometry
• Coordinate Geometry: Equation of line in various forms (y=mx+c, ax+by+c=0). Determine
gradient, parallel and perpendicular lines, point of intersection.
• Circles: Equation of circle (x+f)²+(y+g)²=r², identify centre and radius, find equations of
tangents/normals, intersection with lines.
• Vectors: Differentiate scalar vs vector, represent vectors as xi + yj, perform addition,
subtraction, scalar multiplication.
• Unit vectors, displacement vectors, magnitude |a|, direction, scalar (dot) product in terms of
components and magnitudes.
• Solve problems involving parallel and perpendicular vectors. Find angle between vectors using
dot product formula.
• Trigonometry: Radian measure, convert between degrees and radians. Arc length l=rθ and area
A=½r²θ.
• Evaluate trig functions for standard angles (0, π/6, π/4, π/3, π/2, etc.), exact values using
triangles and unit circle.
• Graphs of y=sinx, cosx, tanx (and multiples like sin2x). Identify amplitude, period, symmetry.
• Identities: sin²θ+cos²θ=1, tanθ=sinθ/cosθ. Compound angle formulae for sin(A±B), cos(A±B),
tan(A±B).
• Double angle identities: sin2x, cos2x, tan2x. Solve simple trig equations in range 0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π.
Section 3: Introductory Calculus
• Differentiation: Derivative as gradient of tangent and as limit. Use notations f'(x), dy/dx.
• Rules: d/dx (x^n) = n x^(n-1), d/dx(sin ax)=a cos ax, d/dx(cos ax)=-a sin ax.
• Apply sum, product, quotient, and chain rules. Differentiate polynomials and simple trig
functions.
• Applications: Find tangents and normals to curves. Calculate second derivatives. Use
derivatives as rates of change (motion, kinematics, related rates).
• Stationary points: Find turning points, use first and second derivative tests to classify maxima
and minima. Apply to optimization problems.
• Integration: Recognize as reverse of differentiation. Use ∫f(x)dx notation. Apply rules for sums,
multiples, and polynomials.
• Integrate powers of x (ax+b)^n, n ≠ -1. Integrate simple trig functions (asinpx ± bcosqx).
• Definite integrals: Evaluate ∫_a^b f(x)dx using F(b)-F(a). Apply to find area under curves and
bounded regions.
• Volumes: Find volumes of revolution about x-axis for polynomials up to quadratic.
• Kinematics: Apply integration to displacement, velocity, acceleration problems.
Section 4: Probability and Statistics
• Statistics: Types of data (qualitative/quantitative, discrete/continuous). Organize and display
using stem-and-leaf, boxplots.
• Find quartiles, percentiles, range, interquartile range, variance, standard deviation (grouped
and ungrouped). Interpret results.
• Central tendency: mean, median, mode. Compare with measures of spread for data analysis.
• Probability: Define experiment, outcome, sample space, event. Classical probability
P(A)=n(A)/n(S).
• Laws: 0 ≤ P(A) ≤1, P(A)+P(A')=1, P(A∪B)=P(A)+P(B)-P(A∩B).
• Identify mutually exclusive events (P(A∩B)=0) and independent events (P(A∩B)=P(A)P(B)).
• Conditional probability: P(A|B)=P(A∩B)/P(B).
• Use possibility spaces, tree diagrams (max 2 branches), and Venn diagrams (up to 2 sets) to
solve problems.
• Apply probability models to real-life problems (games, insurance, natural events).