A quadratic equation of the form can often be solved by factorisation.
For example, factors
as . Setting each factor to zero gives:
The solutions (roots) are and .
Sketching Quadratic Graphs
The graph of is a parabola. Key features to show:
● x-intercepts (roots): and
● y-intercept: set , , so
● Axis of symmetry: the vertical line through the vertex. For a quadratic , axis is .
Here , so . This line divides the parabola into two mirror halves.
● Vertex (turning point): lies on the axis of symmetry. Substitute into : . Vertex at .
Since , the parabola opens upwards.
The sketch should show intercepts, axis of symmetry, and the general U-shape.
Exponents and Logarithms
Simplifying Expressions with Positive Indices
Rule: , , , and .
Example: Simplify .
● Apply power to each factor:
● Result:
Another example: Simplify . First simplify coefficients: . Then handle variables: , . So result: .
Solving Exponential Equations
To solve , write both sides with same base: . Then , so , .
Solving Logarithmic Equations
Logarithm property: . Given , with to keep arguments positive.
Combine logs: . Rewrite in exponential form: . Multiply: . This satisfies , so exact value is .
Functions: Domain, Inverse, and Graphical Properties
Domain of a Rational Function
The domain of is all real numbers except where denominator is zero: . So domain: .
Finding the Inverse Function
To find :
1. Write .
2. Swap and : .
3. Solve for : Multiply both sides by : .
4. Collect terms: .
5. Divide: . So , with domain .
Verifying Inverse by Composition
Show :
● .
● Simplify numerator: .
● Denominator: .
● Divide: . Verified.
Intersection of a Function and Its Inverse
The graphs of and are reflections across the line . Therefore, any intersection point must
satisfy both and , and because of symmetry, they can only intersect on the line . To find
intersection, solve or .
Trigonometry: Solving Equations and Triangles
Solving Trigonometric Equations
To solve for : . Sine is positive in first and second quadrants. So:
● Principal solution:
● Second quadrant: Solutions: and (to 1 d.p.).
Law of Cosines
For triangle with sides , , and included angle , side opposite angle is given by:
Given , , :
(3 s.f.)
Area of a Triangle Using Sine
Area . For the same triangle:
This is the exact surd form.
Probability: Tree Diagrams and Conditional
Calculations
Constructing a Tree Diagram
A bag contains 4 red (R), 3 blue (B), and 2 green (G) balls — total 9 balls. Two balls are
chosen without replacement. The tree diagram has first pick branches (R, B, G) with
probabilities , , . From each branch, second pick probabilities adjust based on remaining
balls.
For example, if first is R (4/9), then remaining: 3R, 3B, 2G total 8. Second pick probabilities:
R: 3/8, B: 3/8, G: 2/8. Similar for other first picks. The tree should be fully labelled with
probabilities on each branch and outcomes at the leaves.
Probability Calculations
a) Both balls same colour:
● RR:
● BB:
● GG:
● Total:
b) One red and the other not red: Two cases: (Red then Not Red) or (Not Red then Red).
● (since after picking R, 5 non-red remain out of 8)
● (first pick non-red: 5 out of 9; then red: 4 out of 8)
● Total:
Statistics: Cumulative Frequency and Measures of
Spread
Cumulative Frequency Table and Curve
Given marks grouped with frequencies:
Marks Frequency Cumulative Frequency
0–10 6 6
10–20 8 14
20–30 12 26
30–40 10 36
40–50 4 40
Plot cumulative frequency against upper class boundaries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). Connect
points with a smooth ogive curve.
Estimating Median
Median corresponds to th value. On cumulative frequency curve, find 20 on vertical axis,
draw horizontal to curve, then down to marks axis. Estimate median ≈ 23 from the curve.
Interquartile Range (IQR)
● Lower quartile (Q1): th value. Estimate ≈ 16.
● Upper quartile (Q3): th value. Estimate ≈ 33.
● IQR = Q3 – Q1 ≈ 33 – 16 = 17 marks.
Comment on Spread
The interquartile range of 17 marks indicates the middle 50% of students scored within a
17-mark range. The data may be slightly positively skewed as the median is closer to the
lower quartile, but further comment refers to the overall spread from 0 to 50.
Differentiation: Stationary Points and Normals
Finding the Derivative
Given . Differentiate with respect to :
Stationary Points
Set : . Divide by 3: . Factor: . So and .
Substitute into :
● : →
● : →
Nature of Stationary Points
Use the second derivative test: .
● At : → maximum point.
● At : → minimum point.
Equation of the Normal
For : , point . Slope of tangent at : . Slope of normal is negative reciprocal: . Equation
through : , so .
Integration: Definite Integrals and Area Under a Curve
Evaluating a Definite Integral
Evaluate . First find the antiderivative: . Apply limits:
Finding Area Bounded by a Curve and Axes
Find the exact area bounded by , the -axis, and the -axis (assuming region in first quadrant
where and ).
First find -intercept: set : (positive). Region is from to .
Area = . So area = 18 square units.
Revenue Optimisation
Revenue Function and Maximisation
A company's revenue in thousands of dollars is modelled by , for , where is number of units
sold.
a) Find the number of units that maximises revenue. Since is a quadratic with negative
coefficient (), it has a maximum at the vertex. units.
b) Find the maximum revenue. Substitute : . Revenue is thousand dollars, i.e., 200,000.
c) Interpret results in context. Selling 10 units yields the maximum possible revenue of
200,000. Selling more than 10 units decreases revenue due to the negative quadratic term.
d) Find the average revenue per unit at the optimum point. Average revenue = thousand
dollars per unit, i.e., 20,000 per unit. This is the revenue per unit when revenue is
maximised.