National Year 13 Mathematics
Chapters: 16
1. A Proof
Proof by contradiction
- Logic and Proof: How Mathematicians Show Something Is Always True – A proof is a chain of correct reasons that shows a statement is true in every case. Statements are true or false; 'if P then Q' (P ⇒ Q) means Q must hold whenever P does, and its converse Q ⇒ P may not. P ⇔ Q means both directions hold. Main methods: direct proof (from known facts step by step, often with algebra like 2n + 1 for odd numbers); proof by exhaustion (check every possible case); disproof by counterexample (one failing case kills a claim); proof by contradiction (assume the opposite and reach something impossible). Geometric proofs use given facts, definitions and theorems (parallel lines, congruent and similar triangles), with a reason for every line. Analytic proofs use coordinates; synthetic proofs use pure geometry.
2. B Algebra and functions
Functions · Partial fractions · Modelling with functions
- Relations and Functions (Class 12) – A relation R on a set A is any set of pairs (a, b) taken from A × A. R is reflexive if every element is related to itself, symmetric if (a, b) in R always brings (b, a), and transitive if (a, b) and (b, c) always bring (a, c). A relation with all three is an equivalence relation; it cuts A into separate equivalence classes. A function f: A → B sends every element of A to exactly one element of B. It is one-one (injective) if different inputs give different outputs, onto (surjective) if every element of B is hit, and bijective if it is both.
- Mathematical Modelling: Using Maths to Describe the Real World – A mathematical model is an equation, graph or table that describes a real situation in a simple way. The modelling cycle: understand the real problem → choose variables and make assumptions → build a model (for example linear, quadratic or exponential) → solve and predict → check the answer against real data → improve the model or state its limits. No model is perfect; a good one is simple and close enough to be useful.
3. C Parametric equations
Parametric curves
- Parametric Equations: Curves, Slopes and Arc Length – In parametric form, x and y are each written using a third variable t, called the parameter. Each value of t gives one point, and as t changes the point traces a curve. You can remove t to get a Cartesian equation, find slopes with dy/dx = (dy/dt)/(dx/dt), and find speed and arc length when t is time.
4. D Sequences and series
Sequences · Arithmetic and geometric series · General binomial expansion
- Sequences and Series: AP, GP, AM and GM – A sequence is a list of numbers in a definite order: a₁, a₂, a₃, … A series is what we get when we add the terms. In an arithmetic progression (AP) we add the same number d each time; aₙ = a + (n − 1)d and Sₙ = n/2[2a + (n − 1)d]. The arithmetic mean (AM) of a and b is (a + b)/2; n AMs between a and b use d = (b − a)/(n + 1). In a geometric progression (GP) we multiply by the same number r each time; aₙ = arⁿ⁻¹ and Sₙ = a(rⁿ − 1)/(r − 1) for r ≠ 1. If |r| < 1 the terms shrink and the infinite sum is S∞ = a/(1 − r). The geometric mean (GM) of two positive numbers a and b is √(ab), and n GMs between them use r = (b/a)^(1/(n+1)). For positive a and b, AM ≥ GM, with equality only when a = b.
- General Binomial Expansion for Any Rational Power – For any rational n, (1 + x)^n = 1 + nx + n(n−1)x²/2! + n(n−1)(n−2)x³/3! + … When n is a positive whole number the series stops. Otherwise it never stops, and it is only true when |x| < 1. For (a + bx)^n, take a^n outside first: a^n(1 + bx/a)^n, valid for |bx/a| < 1, that is |x| < |a/b|. A few terms give good approximations when x is small.
5. E Trigonometry
Radians and small angles · Further trig functions and identities
- Trigonometric Functions: Radians, Unit Circle, Graphs and Identities – An angle of one radian cuts an arc equal to the radius, so π radians = 180°. On a unit circle, the point at angle x is P = (cos x, sin x), which gives sin²x + cos²x = 1 and extends sine and cosine to every real number. The signs follow 'All, Sin, Tan, Cos' in quadrants I to IV; sin x and cos x repeat every 2π and stay between −1 and 1. Compound-angle formulas such as cos(A + B) = cos A cos B − sin A sin B lead to tan(A + B), cot(A + B), sum-to-product, double-angle and triple-angle identities.
6. F Exponentials and logarithms
Exponential modelling
- Exponential Functions – An exponential function has the form y = a·bˣ, where a ≠ 0 is the starting value and b > 0, b ≠ 1 is the growth factor. If b > 1 it grows; if 0 < b < 1 it decays. Each step of 1 in x multiplies y by b (a constant ratio), unlike a linear function which adds a constant. The graph of y = bˣ passes through (0, 1), has domain all real numbers, range y > 0, and the x-axis as a horizontal asymptote. The general form y = a·b^(k(x − d)) + c stretches, reflects and shifts it.
7. G Differentiation
Further differentiation
- Continuity and Differentiability – A function is continuous at a point when its graph has no break there: the left limit, the right limit and the value are all equal. The derivative is the slope of the tangent line. With the chain rule, implicit differentiation, the rules for eˣ, ln x and inverse trig functions, logarithmic differentiation and parametric forms, you can differentiate almost any Class 12 function. The second derivative tells how the slope itself changes, that is, how the curve bends.
8. H Integration
Further integration
- Integrals – Integration undoes differentiation: if F′(x) = f(x), then ∫f(x) dx = F(x) + C. We integrate with standard formulas, substitution (replace an inside part by u), partial fractions (split a fraction) and by parts (∫u dv = uv − ∫v du). A definite integral ∫ₐᵇ f(x) dx is the signed area under the curve from a to b, and the fundamental theorem says it equals F(b) − F(a). Its properties make many hard integrals easy.
9. I Numerical methods
Numerical methods
- Numerical Methods: Finding Roots and Areas Step by Step – Some equations and areas cannot be found with a neat formula. Numerical methods get as close as we like with simple repeated steps: check a change of sign, halve the interval (bisection), slide down tangents (Newton-Raphson), repeat x = g(x) (fixed-point iteration), add up trapeziums for an area, and walk along a slope in small steps (Euler).
10. J Vectors (3D)
Vectors in three dimensions
- Vector Algebra – A vector has a size (magnitude) and a direction. In 3D we write it as a = xî + yĵ + zk̂. Its length is |a| = √(x² + y² + z²). Its direction cosines are l = x/|a|, m = y/|a|, n = z/|a|, and l² + m² + n² = 1. Vectors are added head-to-tail (triangle law) or component by component. ka stretches a by k and flips it if k is negative. The point dividing AB in m : n has position vector (mb + na)/(m + n) inside and (mb − na)/(m − n) outside. Dot product a·b = |a||b|cosθ gives a number and tells the angle and the projection. Cross product a×b = |a||b|sinθ n̂ gives a vector at right angles to both; its length is the area of the parallelogram on a and b.
11. L-M Data and conditional probability
Conditional probability · Correlation
- Conditional Probability, Multiplication Rule and Independent Events – Conditional probability is the chance of A when we already know B has happened. We throw away every outcome outside B and count again: P(A|B) = P(A ∩ B) ÷ P(B). Turned around, this gives the multiplication rule P(A ∩ B) = P(B)·P(A|B). If knowing B does not change the chance of A, the events are independent and P(A ∩ B) = P(A)·P(B).
- Correlation: Scatter Diagram, Karl Pearson's Coefficient and Spearman's Rank Correlation – Correlation tells how two variables move together. It is positive when both rise together, negative when one rises as the other falls, and zero when there is no straight-line pattern. A scatter diagram shows it as a picture. Karl Pearson's coefficient r measures its direction and strength and always lies between −1 and +1. Spearman's rank correlation R uses ranks and works for qualities like beauty or honesty; tied ranks need a small correction.
12. N Normal distribution
Normal distribution
- Normal Distribution – A normal distribution is a continuous, symmetric, bell-shaped distribution fixed by its mean μ (centre) and standard deviation σ (spread): X ~ N(μ, σ²). Mean = median = mode. About 68% of values lie within 1σ of μ, 95% within 2σ and 99.7% within 3σ. Any normal value is turned into a standard score z = (x − μ)/σ, which follows N(0, 1); probabilities are areas under the curve, read from a table or calculator as Φ(z).
13. O Hypothesis testing
Further hypothesis tests
- Hypothesis Testing – A hypothesis test checks a claim about a population using a sample. Start with the null hypothesis H₀ (no change, e.g. p = 0.5) and the alternative H₁ (what we suspect, e.g. p > 0.5). Choose a significance level such as 5%. Work out how likely the sample result (or more extreme) is if H₀ were true: the p-value. If the p-value is below the level, or the result falls in the critical region, reject H₀. Otherwise there is not enough evidence to reject it. Type I error = rejecting a true H₀; Type II error = not rejecting a false H₀.
14. Q Kinematics (2D and projectiles)
Motion in two dimensions
- Projectile Motion and Uniform Circular Motion (Class 11) – In a plane, r = r₀ + v₀t + ½at² and v = v₀ + at, applied separately along x and y. A projectile has constant horizontal velocity u cos θ and a vertical velocity that changes by g each second, so its path is a parabola: y = x tan θ − gx²/(2u²cos²θ). T = 2u sin θ/g, H = u² sin²θ/2g, R = u² sin 2θ/g (maximum at 45°). In uniform circular motion speed is constant but the velocity turns, giving a centripetal acceleration a = v²/r = ω²r towards the centre.
15. R Forces and Newton's laws
Forces in two dimensions
- Friction: Static, Kinetic and Rolling Friction, Laws and Lubrication – Friction is the force that opposes relative motion (or its start) between surfaces in contact. Static friction adjusts itself up to a maximum, the limiting friction fs,max = μs N. Once sliding starts, kinetic friction fk = μk N acts, and μk < μs. Friction depends on the normal force and the nature of the surfaces, not on the area of contact. Rolling friction is much smaller than sliding friction; lubricants and ball bearings reduce friction.
16. S Moments
Moments
- Torque, Angular Momentum and Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies – Torque is the turning effect of a force: τ = r × F, size rF sinθ, unit N m. Angular momentum is the turning version of momentum: L = r × p; for a body spinning about a fixed axis L = Iω. Torque changes angular momentum: τ = dL/dt. If the outside torque is zero, L stays constant, so pulling mass in makes a body spin faster. A rigid body is in equilibrium when the total force is zero (no sliding) and the total torque about any point is zero (no turning).