Mathematics — GCE O Level (570)

What this syllabus is

Mathematics 570 is the Cameroon GCE Board Ordinary Level mathematics syllabus. It introduces the fundamental concepts of mathematics through a blend of traditional and modern approaches, and it is the foundation for Additional Mathematics and for any A Level science or technical course.

The syllabus aims to give you knowledge and understanding of the nature, reasoning and purpose of mathematics; the ability to apply it in other subjects, in real life, at work and in further study; sustained interest in observation, inquiry and investigation; and the preparation you need for competitive examinations in Cameroon and elsewhere.

How the course is organised

The syllabus lists its content as numbered topics with sub-topics and attainment targets. It is easier to learn and revise when grouped into ten strands. The same strand names are used across all SABI Mathematics resources, so a lesson, a past question and a revision guide all sit in the same place.

• Strand 1 — Number and Numeration
• Strand 2 — Sets and Logic
• Strand 3 — Commercial Arithmetic
• Strand 4 — Algebra and Formulae
• Strand 5 — Relations, Functions and Variation
• Strand 6 — Plane Geometry
• Strand 7 — Mensuration
• Strand 8 — Coordinate Geometry and Graphs
• Strand 9 — Trigonometry, Vectors, Matrices and Transformations
• Strand 10 — Statistics, Probability and Networks

Strand 1 — Number and Numeration

The starting point of the whole syllabus: what numbers are, how they are written and how they are combined.

• Number bases and place value; operations involving brackets
• Sets of natural numbers, integers, rational and irrational numbers
• Fractions, decimals, ratio, proportion and percentages
• Indices, standard form and approximation of answers to a stated accuracy

Strand 2 — Sets and Logic

Set language runs through the rest of the paper, and the logic notation appears in the official symbol list you are expected to read fluently.

• Set notation, subsets, union, intersection, complement, number of elements n(A)
• Venn diagrams and problems involving two and three sets
• Intervals on the number line
• Simple logic: negation (~p), implication (p to q) and equivalence

Strand 3 — Commercial Arithmetic

The money strand. Questions are usually set in a realistic Cameroonian context, so read the situation carefully before choosing a formula.

• Profit and loss, discount, commission and taxes
• Simple and compound interest: calculate interest, principal, time and rate
• Loans, bank deposits and instalment payments
• Calculations based on real-life financial situations

Strand 4 — Algebra and Formulae

Algebra carries a large share of the marks and it supports almost every other strand.

• Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of algebraic expressions
• Expansion, factorisation and algebraic fractions
• Linear and quadratic equations; simultaneous equations; inequalities
• Substituting values into a formula and rearranging a formula to change its subject
• Writing expressions from word descriptions of relationships between variables

Strand 5 — Relations, Functions and Variation

This strand teaches you to read a relationship in several forms: words, a mapping, a flow diagram, an equation and a graph.

• Relations, mappings and functions; domain and range
• Flow diagrams to illustrate functions and composite operations
• Direct, inverse, joint and partial variation
• Variation in algebraic expressions and its use in real situations

Strand 6 — Plane Geometry

Geometry rewards accurate diagrams. Draw before you calculate, and mark every angle you are told about.

• Angles on a straight line, angles at a point, angles at a transversal and corresponding angles
• Triangles, quadrilaterals and polygons; properties and angle sums
• Circles: parts of a circle and basic circle properties
• Constructions, loci, symmetry and geometrical reasoning

Strand 7 — Mensuration

Measurement of length, area and volume, always stated in appropriate units.

• Perimeter and area of plane figures; state area and perimeter in appropriate units
• Surface area and volume of solids: prisms, cylinders, cones, pyramids and spheres
• Arc length, sector and segment area
• Units, conversion and problems set in practical contexts

Strand 8 — Coordinate Geometry and Graphs

Topic 6 of the official syllabus: rectangular coordinate geometry and graphs. Graph questions carry method marks, so show the plotting.

• The Cartesian plane, coordinates, distance and midpoint
• Gradient of a line; determining gradient by constructing a line on a graph
• Equation of a straight line; parallel and perpendicular lines
• Plotting points and joining them with a smooth curve where necessary; reading solutions from graphs

Strand 9 — Trigonometry, Vectors, Matrices and Transformations

Official topics 8, 9 and 10. They are grouped here because they all describe position, direction and change of position.

• Trigonometry: sine, cosine and tangent; right-angled triangles; angles of elevation and depression; bearings
• Vectors: notation, addition and subtraction, multiplication by a scalar, parallel and perpendicular vectors
• Matrices: order and compatibility for multiplication, determinant and inverse of a matrix
• Transformations in two dimensions: translation, reflection, rotation and enlargement; transformation matrices; applying transformations to real-life situations

Strand 10 — Statistics, Probability and Networks

Official topics 11 and the networks part of topic 7. Both reward careful reading of data rather than heavy calculation.

• Collecting and grouping data into reasonable classes; tabulating data
• Bar charts, pie charts, histograms and frequency polygons; interpreting data from real-life situations
• Mean, median, mode and measures of spread
• Probability: the sum and product laws; tree diagrams with probabilities written on the branches
• Networks: nodes, arcs, routes and networks in real life

How you are examined

Assessment is based on the aims and the content above. Questions test your ability to recall, apply and interpret mathematical knowledge in context and in everyday situations, and to carry out calculations by combining mathematical skills and techniques while setting out your work in a logical and clear form.

You are expected to bring a calculator with at least these keys: +, -, x, division, pi, x squared, square root, reciprocal, x to the power y, and sine, cosine and tangent with their inverses in degrees and decimals of a degree.

The syllabus publishes a standard notation list — set notation, intervals and the logic symbols — and examiners use it without explanation. Learn to read it before the exam.

How to study this syllabus

Work strand by strand instead of topic by topic. The official numbering moves between arithmetic, algebra and geometry, while the strands keep related ideas together.

Marks in this paper are given for method. Write every line of working, state units, and keep graph plotting visible.

Strands 4, 8 and 9 carry the heaviest workload. Start them early and revise them with past papers rather than notes alone.

Source and status

This overview follows the official Ordinary Level GCE Syllabus in 570 Mathematics, published by the Cameroon General Certificate of Education Board, PMB 10,000, Buea.

Aims, general objectives, assessment objectives, calculator requirements and content are taken from that document. The strand grouping is SABI''s study structure, added to make the syllabus easier to learn from.