Appendix A: mathematical notation

The tables below set out the notation that must be used by AS and A-level mathematics and further mathematics specifications. Students will be expected to understand this notation without need for further explanation.

Mathematics students will not be expected to understand notation that relates only to further mathematics content. Further mathematics students will be expected to understand all notation in the list.

For further mathematics, the notation for the core content is listed under sub headings indicating ‘further mathematics only’. In this subject, awarding organisations are required to include, in their specifications, content that is additional to the core content. They will therefore need to add to the notation list accordingly.

AS students will be expected to understand notation that relates to AS content, and will not be expected to understand notation that relates only to A-level content.

6.1 Set notation

Set notation (Further Maths only)

6.2 Miscellaneous symbols

Miscellaneous symbols (Further Maths only)

6.3 Operations

Operations (Further Maths only)

6.4 Functions

6.5 Exponential and logarithmic functions

6.6 Trigonometric functions

Trigonometric functions (Further Maths only)

6.7 Complex numbers (Further Maths only)

Matrices (Further Maths only)

6.9 Vectors

Vectors (Further Maths only)

6.10 Differential equations (Further Maths only)

6.11 Probability and statistics

6.12 Mechanics