Introduction
This is the first of a series of books for the University of Cambridge International
Examinations syllabus for Cambridge International A & AS Level Mathematics
- The eight chapters of this book cover the pure mathematics in AS level. The
series also contains a more advanced book for pure mathematics and one each
for mechanics and statistics.
These books are based on the highly successful series for the Mathematics in
Education and Industry (MEI) syllabus in the UK but they have been redesigned
for Cambridge users; where appropriate new material has been written and the
exercises contain many past Cambridge examination questions. An overview of
the units making up the Cambridge International A & AS Level Mathematics
9709 syllabus is given in the diagram on the next page.
Throughout the series the emphasis is on understanding the mathematics as
well as routine calculations. The various exercises provide plenty of scope for
practising basic techniques; they also contain many typical examination questions.
An important feature of this series is the electronic support. There is an
accompanying disc containing two types of Personal Tutor presentation:
examination-style questions, in which the solutions are written out, step by step,
with an accompanying verbal explanation, and test yourself questions; these are
multiple-choice with explanations of the mistakes that lead to the wrong answers
as well as full solutions for the correct ones. In addition, extensive online support
is available via the MEI website, http://www.mei.org.uk.
The books are written on the assumption that students have covered and
understood the work in the Cambridge IGCSE syllabus. However, some of
the early material is designed to provide an overlap and this is designated
‘Background’. There are also places where the books show how the ideas can be
taken further or where fundamental underpinning work is explored and such
work is marked as ‘Extension’.
The original MEI author team would like to thank Sophie Goldie who has carried
out the extensive task of presenting their work in a suitable form for Cambridge
International students and for her many original contributions. They would also
like to thank Cambridge International Examinations for their detailed advice in
preparing the books and for permission to use many past examination questions.
Roger Porkess
Series Editorvii