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Specialist Mathematics · QCAA

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Full Specialist Mathematics syllabus

Drill from units to topics, subtopics and individual learning objectives. Every LO is wired up to AI-marked practice questions.

177 LOs
1 — Combinatorics, proof, vectors and matrices56 LOs
Combinatorics13 LOs
Introduction to counting techniques3 LOs
Permutations (ordered arrangements) and combinations (unordered selections)10 LOs
Define and use combinations.Define and use permutations.Model and solve problems that involve permutations and combinations including probability problems, with and without technology. Specialist Mathematics 2025 v1.4Solve problems that involve combinations with restrictions including specific objects grouped together and selection from multiple groups.Solve problems that involve combinations.Solve problems that involve permutations with restrictions including repeated objects, specific objects grouped together and selection from multiple groups.Solve problems that involve permutations.Use factorial notation.Use the notation (𝑛 𝑟) and 𝐶𝑟 𝑛 to represent the number of ways of selecting 𝑟 objects from 𝑛 distinct objects where order is not important. 𝐶𝑟 𝑛 = (𝑛 𝑟) = 𝑛! 𝑟!(𝑛−𝑟)!Use the notation 𝑃𝑛 𝑟 to represent the number of ways of selecting 𝑟 objects from 𝑛 distinct objects where order is important. 𝑃𝑟 𝑛 = 𝑛! (𝑛−𝑟)! = 𝑛 × (𝑛 − 1) × (𝑛 − 2) × … × (𝑛 − 𝑟 + 1)
Introduction to proof10 LOs
The nature of proof7 LOs
Rational and irrational numbers3 LOs
Vectors in the plane16 LOs
Representing vectors in the plane by directed line segments8 LOs
Vectors in two dimensions8 LOs
Algebra of vectors in two dimensions11 LOs
Algebra of vectors in two dimensions11 LOs
Apply the scalar product to vectors expressed in Cartesian form.Define and use a vector representing a section of a line segment, including the midpoint of a line segment.Define and use multiplication by a scalar of a vector in Cartesian form.Define and use scalar and vector projections of vectors. scalar projection of 𝒂 on 𝒃: |𝒂| cos(𝜃) = 𝒂 ⋅ 𝒃̂ vector projection of 𝒂 on 𝒃: |𝒂| cos(𝜃) 𝒃̂ = (𝒂 ⋅ 𝒃̂)𝒃̂ = (𝒂⋅𝒃 𝒃⋅𝒃) 𝒃Define and use the scalar (dot) product. 𝒂 ⋅ 𝒃 = |𝒂||𝒃| cos(𝜃) (𝑎1 𝑎2) ⋅ (𝑏1 𝑏2) = 𝑎1 𝑏1 + 𝑎2 𝑏2Determine a vector between two points.Examine and use addition and subtraction of vectors in Cartesian form.Examine properties of parallel and perpendicular vectors and determine if two vectors are parallel or perpendicular.Model and solve problems that involve displacement, force, velocity and relative velocity using the above concepts.Model and solve problems that involve motion of a body in equilibrium situations, including vector applications related to smooth inclined planes (excluding situations with pulleys and connected bodies). Specialist Mathematics 2025 v1.4Resolve vectors into 𝒊̂ and 𝒋̂ components.
Matrices6 LOs
Matrix arithmetic and algebra6 LOs
Calculate the determinant and multiplicative inverse of 2 × 2 matrices, with and without technology. If 𝑨 = [𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑑] then det(𝑨) = 𝑎𝑑 − 𝑏𝑐 𝑨−1 = [𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑑]−1 = 1 det(𝑨) [ 𝑑 −𝑏 −𝑐 𝑎 ], det(𝑨) ≠ 0Define and use addition and subtraction of matrices, scalar multiplication, matrix multiplication, multiplicative identity and multiplicative inverse.Model and solve problems that involve matrices of up to dimension 2 × 2, including the solution of systems of linear equations, with and without technology.Understand the matrix definition and notation.Use matrix algebra properties, including 𝑨 + 𝑩 = 𝑩 + 𝑨 (commutative law for addition) 𝑨 + 0 = 𝑨 (additive identity) 𝑨 + (−𝑨) = 0 (additive inverse) 𝑨𝑰 = 𝑨 = 𝑰𝑨 (multiplicative identity) 𝑨𝑨−1 = 𝑰 = 𝑨−1𝑨 (multiplicative inverse) 𝑨(𝑩 + 𝑪) = 𝑨𝑩 + 𝑨𝑪 (left distributive law) (𝑩 + 𝑪)𝑨 = 𝑩𝑨 + 𝑪𝑨 (right distributive law)Use matrix algebra to solve matrix equations that involve matrices of up to dimension 2 × 2, including those of the form 𝑨𝑿 = 𝑩, 𝑿𝑨 = 𝑩 and 𝑨𝑿 + 𝑩𝑿 = 𝑪, with and without technology.
2 — Complex numbers, further proof, trigonometry, functions and transformations40 LOs
Complex numbers9 LOs
Introduction to complex numbers5 LOs
The complex plane (the Argand plane)4 LOs
Complex arithmetic and algebra9 LOs
Complex arithmetic using polar form6 LOs
Convert between Cartesian form and polar form.Express a complex number in Cartesian form 𝑧 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖 and polar form. 𝑧 = 𝑟 (cos(𝜃) + 𝑖 sin(𝜃)) or 𝑧 = 𝑟 cis(𝜃)Sketch and use complex numbers in polar form as polar coordinates. Specialist Mathematics 2025 v1.4Understand and use multiplication, division of complex numbers in polar form and the geometric interpretation of these. 𝑧1 𝑧2 = 𝑟1 𝑟2 cis(𝜃1 + 𝜃2) 𝑧1 𝑧2 = 𝑟 1 𝑟 2 cis(𝜃1 − 𝜃2)Understand the difference between the argument, arg(𝑧), and the principal argument, Arg(𝑧) of a non-zero complex number 𝑧. arg(𝑧) = Arg(𝑧) + 2𝜋𝑛, 𝑛 ∈ ℤUse the modulus |𝑧| of a complex number 𝑧 and the principal argument Arg(𝑧) of a non-zero complex number 𝑧. |𝑧| = √𝑎2 + 𝑏2 Arg(𝑧) = 𝜃, tan(𝜃) = 𝑏 𝑎, −𝜋 < 𝜃 ≤ 𝜋, 𝑎 ≠ 0
Subsets of the complex plane (the Argand plane)1 LO
Roots of real quadratic equations2 LOs
Circle and geometric proofs6 LOs
Circle properties and their proofs2 LOs
Geometric proofs using vectors4 LOs
Trigonometry and functions9 LOs
Sketching graphs2 LOs
The reciprocal trigonometric functions, secant, cosecant and cotangent (31 LO
Trigonometric identities6 LOs
Convert sums 𝑎 cos(𝑥) + 𝑏 sin(𝑥) to 𝑅 cos(𝑥 ± 𝛼) or 𝑅 sin(𝑥 ± 𝛼) and apply these to sketch graphs.Model and solve problems that involve equations of the form 𝑎 cos(𝑥) + 𝑏 sin(𝑥) = 𝑐.Prove and apply multi-angle trigonometric identities up to angles of 4𝑥 using the identities listed above, e.g. cos(4𝑥) = 8 cos4(𝑥) − 8 cos2(𝑥) + 1 and cosec(2𝑥) − cot(2𝑥) = tan(𝑥). Specialist Mathematics 2025 v1.4Prove and apply the angle sum, difference and double-angle identities for sines and cosines. sin(𝐴 + 𝐵) = sin(𝐴) cos(𝐵) + cos(𝐴) sin(𝐵) sin(𝐴 − 𝐵) = sin(𝐴) cos(𝐵) − cos(𝐴) sin(𝐵) cos(𝐴 + 𝐵) = cos(𝐴) cos(𝐵) − sin(𝐴) sin(𝐵) cos(𝐴 − 𝐵) = cos(𝐴) cos(𝐵) + sin(𝐴) sin(𝐵) sin(2𝐴) = 2 sin(𝐴) cos(𝐴) cos(2𝐴) = cos2(𝐴) − sin2(𝐴) = 1 − 2 sin2(𝐴) = 2 cos2(𝐴) − 1Prove and apply the identities for products of sines and cosines expressed as sums and differences. sin(𝐴) sin(𝐵) = 1 2 (cos(𝐴 − 𝐵) − cos(𝐴 + 𝐵)) cos(𝐴) cos(𝐵) = 1 2 (cos(𝐴 − 𝐵) + cos(𝐴 + 𝐵)) sin(𝐴) cos(𝐵) = 1 2 (sin(𝐴 + 𝐵) + sin(𝐴 − 𝐵)) cos(𝐴) sin(𝐵) = 1 2 (sin(𝐴 + 𝐵) − sin(𝐴 − 𝐵))Prove and apply the Pythagorean identities. sin2(𝐴) + cos2(𝐴) = 1 tan2(𝐴) + 1 = sec2(𝐴) cot2(𝐴) + 1 = cosec2(𝐴)
Matrices and transformations7 LOs
Transformations in the plane7 LOs
Apply these transformations to points in the plane and polygons.Determine geometric results by matrix multiplications, e.g. showing that the combined effect of two reflections in lines through the origin is a rotation.Understand and use composition of linear transformations and the corresponding matrix products.Understand and use inverses of linear transformations and the relationship with the matrix inverse.Understand and use the relationship between the determinant and the effect of a linear transformation on area.Understand translations and their representation as column vectors.Use basic linear transformations: dilations of the form (𝑥, 𝑦) → (𝑎𝑥, 𝑏𝑦), rotations about the origin and reflection in a line that passes through the origin, and the representations of these transformations by 2 × 2 matrices. dilation of factor 𝑎 parallel to the 𝑥-axis and factor 𝑏 parallel to the 𝑦-axis: [𝑎 0 0 𝑏] rotation of angle 𝜃 anticlockwise about the origin: [cos(𝜃) − sin(𝜃) sin(𝜃) cos(𝜃)] reflection in the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 tan(𝜃): [cos(2𝜃) sin(2𝜃) sin(2𝜃) − cos(2𝜃)]
3 — Further complex numbers, proof, vectors and matrices47 LOs
Further complex numbers7 LOs
Complex arithmetic using polar form2 LOs
Roots of complex numbers2 LOs
Factorisation of polynomials3 LOs
Mathematical induction and trigonometric proofs6 LOs
Vectors in two and three dimensions22 LOs
Vectors in three dimensions7 LOs
Algebra of vectors in three dimensions10 LOs
Apply the scalar product to vectors expressed in Cartesian form.Determine a vector between two points.Examine and use addition and subtraction of vectors in Cartesian form.Examine properties of parallel and perpendicular vectors and determine if two vectors are parallel or perpendicular.Model and solve problems that involve displacement, force, velocity and relative velocity using the above concepts.Use a vector representing a section of a line segment, including the midpoint of a line segment.Use multiplication by a scalar of a vector in Cartesian form.Use scalar and vector projections of vectors. scalar projection of 𝒂 on 𝒃: |𝒂| cos(𝜃) = 𝒂 ⋅ 𝒃̂ vector projection of 𝒂 on 𝒃: |𝒂| cos(𝜃) 𝒃̂ = (𝒂 ⋅ 𝒃̂)𝒃̂ = (𝒂⋅𝒃 𝒃⋅𝒃) 𝒃Use the scalar (dot) product. 𝒂 ⋅ 𝒃 = |𝒂||𝒃| cos(𝜃) ( 𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3) ⋅ ( 𝑏1 𝑏2 𝑏3) = 𝑎1 𝑏1 + 𝑎2 𝑏2 + 𝑎3 𝑏3Use vectors to prove geometric results in two dimensions (other than those listed in Unit 2 Topic 3) and in three dimensions. Specialist Mathematics 2025 v1.4
Vector and Cartesian equations5 LOs
Define and use the vector (cross) product to determine a vector normal to a given plane, with and without technology. 𝒂 × 𝒃 = |𝒂| |𝒃| sin(𝜃) 𝒏̂ 𝒂 × 𝒃 = ( 𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3) × ( 𝑏1 𝑏2 𝑏3) = ( 𝑎2𝑏3 − 𝑎3𝑏2 𝑎3𝑏1 − 𝑎1𝑏3 𝑎1𝑏2 − 𝑎2𝑏1)Determine vector, parametric and Cartesian equations of straight lines and straight-line segments given the position of two points, or equivalent information, in both two and three dimensions. vector equation of line: 𝒓 = 𝒂 + 𝑡𝒅 parametric equations of line: 𝑥 = 𝑎1 + 𝑡 𝑑1 𝑦 = 𝑎2 + 𝑡 𝑑2 𝑧 = 𝑎3 + 𝑡 𝑑3 Cartesian equation of line: 𝑥−𝑎1 𝑑1 = 𝑦−𝑎2 𝑑2 = 𝑧−𝑎3 𝑑3Understand and use equations of spheres. equation of sphere: (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 + (𝑧 − 𝑙)2 = 𝑟2Use vector equations of curves in two or three dimensions involving a parameter, and determine a ‘corresponding’ Cartesian equation in the two-dimensional case.Use vector methods in applications, including areas of shapes and determining vector and Cartesian equations of a plane and of regions in a plane. vector equation of plane: 𝒓 ⋅ 𝒏 = 𝒂 ⋅ 𝒏 Cartesian equation of plane: 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐𝑧 + 𝑑 = 0
Vector calculus6 LOs
Vector calculus6 LOs
Apply vector calculus to model and solve problems that involve motion in a plane, including projectile and circular motion, with and without technology. Specialist Mathematics 2025 v1.4Differentiate and integrate a vector function with respect to time.Understand and use position of vectors as a function of time.Understand and use the Cartesian equation of a path given as a vector equation in two dimensions, including circles, ellipses and hyperbolas. equation of circle: (𝑥 − ℎ)2 + (𝑦 − 𝑘)2 = 𝑟2 equation of ellipse: (𝑥−ℎ)2 𝑎2 + (𝑦−𝑘)2 𝑏2 = 1 equation of hyperbola: (𝑥−ℎ)2 𝑎2 − (𝑦−𝑘)2 𝑏2 = 1 or (𝑦−𝑘)2 𝑎2 − (𝑥−ℎ)2 𝑏2 = 1Understand and use the position of two particles, each described as a vector function of time, and determine if their paths cross or if the particles meet.Use vector calculus to determine equations of motion of a particle travelling in a straight line with both constant and variable acceleration.
Further matrices6 LOs
Matrix algebra and systems of equations5 LOs
Calculate the determinant and multiplicative inverse of square matrices of any order, with technology.Examine the three cases for solutions of systems of equations — a unique solution, no solution and infinitely many solutions — and the geometric interpretation of a solution of a system of equations with three variables including a unique solution no solution infinitely many solutionsModel and solve problems that involve matrices of beyond dimension 2 × 2, including the solution of systems of linear equations, with technology.Use matrix algebra to solve matrix equations that involve matrices of beyond dimension 2 × 2, including those of the form 𝑨𝑿 = 𝑩, 𝑿𝑨 = 𝑩 and 𝑨𝑿 + 𝑩𝑿 = 𝑪, with technology.Use the determinant to determine whether a square matrix of any order is singular or non- singular.
Applications of matrices1 LO
4 — Further calculus and statistical inference34 LOs
Integration techniques9 LOs
Integration techniques9 LOs
Establish and use the formula ∫ 1 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = ln|𝑥| + 𝑐 for 𝑥 ≠ 0 and ∫ 𝑓′(𝑥) 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = ln|𝑓(𝑥)| + 𝑐 for 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 0.Establish and use the formula ∫ sec2(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = tan(𝑥) + 𝑐.Integrate by parts. ∫ 𝑢 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑢𝑣 − ∫ 𝑣 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 Specialist Mathematics 2025 v1.4Integrate expressions of the form ±1 √𝑎2−𝑥2 and 𝑎 𝑎2+𝑥2. ∫ 1 √𝑎2−𝑥2 𝑑𝑥 = sin−1 (𝑥 𝑎) + 𝑐 ∫ −1 √𝑎2−𝑥2 𝑑𝑥 = cos−1 (𝑥 𝑎) + 𝑐 ∫ 𝑎 𝑎2+𝑥2 𝑑𝑥 = tan−1 (𝑥 𝑎) + 𝑐Integrate using the trigonometric identities sin2(𝑥) = 1 2 (1 − cos(2𝑥)), cos2(𝑥) = 1 2 (1 + cos(2𝑥)), 1 + tan2(𝑥) = sec2(𝑥) and cot2(𝑥) + 1 = cosec2(𝑥).Understand and use the inverse trigonometric functions: arcsine, arccosine and arctangent.Use partial fractions for integration involving two distinct linear factors in the denominator, e.g. 2𝑥−1 (𝑥+1)(𝑥−2).Use substitution 𝑢 = 𝑔(𝑥) to integrate expressions of the form 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))𝑔′(𝑥).Use the derivative of the inverse trigonometric functions: arcsine, arccosine and arctangent. 𝑑 𝑑𝑥 sin−1 (𝑥 𝑎) = 1 √𝑎2−𝑥2 𝑑 𝑑𝑥 cos−1 (𝑥 𝑎) = −1 √𝑎2−𝑥2 𝑑 𝑑𝑥 tan−1 (𝑥 𝑎) = 𝑎 𝑎2+𝑥2
Applications of integral calculus5 LOs
Applications of integral calculus5 LOs
Apply techniques from Unit 4 Topic 1 Sub-topic: Integration techniques to calculate areas between curves determined by functions, with and without technology.Determine volumes of solids of revolution about either axis, with and without technology. about the 𝑥-axis: 𝑉 = 𝜋 ∫ [𝑓(𝑥)]2𝑏 𝑎 𝑑𝑥 about the 𝑦-axis: 𝑉 = 𝜋 ∫ [𝑓(𝑦)]2𝑏 𝑎 𝑑𝑦Model and solve problems that involve exponential random variables and associated probabilities and quantiles, with and without technology. Specialist Mathematics 2025 v1.4Understand and use the probability density function, 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝜆𝑒−𝜆𝑡 for 𝑡 ≥ 0, of the exponential random variable with parameter 𝜆 > 0. mean: 1 𝜆 standard deviation: 1 𝜆Use Simpson’s rule to approximate an area and the value of a definite integral, with and without technology. ∫ 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 𝑏 𝑎 ≈ 𝑤 3 [𝑓(𝑥0) + 4[𝑓(𝑥1) + 𝑓(𝑥3)+... ] + 2[𝑓(𝑥2) + 𝑓(𝑥4)+... ] + 𝑓(𝑥𝑛)] where 𝑤 = 𝑏−𝑎 𝑛
Rates of change and differential equations5 LOs
Rates of change2 LOs
Differential equations3 LOs
Modelling motion4 LOs
Modelling motion4 LOs
Model and solve problems that involve motion in a straight line with both constant and non- constant acceleration, including simple harmonic motion, vertical motion under gravity with and without air resistance, and motion of a body in non-equilibrium situations on a smooth inclined plane (excluding situations with pulleys and connected bodies). If 𝑑2𝑥 𝑑𝑡2 = −𝜔2𝑥 then 𝑥 = 𝐴 sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛼) or 𝑥 = 𝐴 cos(𝜔𝑡 + 𝛽) 𝑣2 = 𝜔2(𝐴2 − 𝑥2) 𝑇 = 2𝜋 𝜔 𝑓 = 1 𝑇 Specialist Mathematics 2025 v1.4Understand and use momentum, constant force, non-constant force, resultant force, action and reaction.Understand and use motion of a body in non-equilibrium situations under concurrent forces.Understand and use the expressions 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑡, 𝑑2𝑥 𝑑𝑡2, 𝑣 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑥 and 𝑑 𝑑𝑥 (1 2 𝑣2) to represent the acceleration of an object moving in a straight line.
Statistical inference11 LOs
Sample means4 LOs
Model and solve problems that involve sample means, with and without technology.Understand the concept of the sample mean 𝑋 as a random variable whose value varies between samples where 𝑋 is a random variable with mean 𝜇 and the standard deviation 𝜎.Use repeated random sampling data from a variety of distributions and a range of sample sizes to examine properties of the distribution of 𝑋 across samples of a fixed size 𝑛, including its mean 𝜇, its standard deviation 𝜎 √𝑛 (where 𝜇 and 𝜎 are the mean and standard deviation of 𝑋) and its approximate normality if 𝑛 is large.Use repeated random sampling data from a variety of distributions and a range of sample sizes to examine the approximate standard normality of 𝑋−𝜇 𝑠 √𝑛 for large samples (𝑛 ≥ 30), where 𝑠 is the sample standard deviation (Central limit theorem).
Confidence intervals for means7 LOs
Model and solve problems that involve interval estimates for sample means, with and without technology.Understand and use the approximate confidence interval (𝑥̅ − 𝑧 𝑠 √𝑛, 𝑥̅ + 𝑧 𝑠 √𝑛), as an interval estimate for 𝜇, the population mean, where 𝑧 is the appropriate quantile for the standard normal distribution.Understand and use the approximate margin of error. 𝐸 = 𝑧 𝑠 √𝑛Understand and use the concept that there are variations in confidence intervals between samples and that most but not all confidence intervals contain 𝜇.Understand and use the relationship between margin of error, level of confidence and sample size.Understand the concept of an interval estimate for a parameter associated with a random variable.Use 𝑥̅ and 𝑠 to estimate 𝜇 and 𝜎, to obtain approximate intervals covering desired proportions of values of a normal random variable and compare with an approximate confidence interval for 𝜇.

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