Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027.

3 Subject content

This syllabus gives you the flexibility to design a course that will interest, challenge and engage your learners.
Where appropriate you are responsible for selecting resources and examples to support your learners’
study. These should be appropriate for the learners’ age, cultural background and learning context as well as
complying with your school policies and local legal requirements.

The mathematical content for each component is detailed below. You can teach the topics in any order you find
appropriate.

Information about calculator use and information about the relationships between syllabus components can be
found in 4 Details of the assessment.

Notes and examples are included to clarify the subject content. Please note that these are examples only and
examination questions may differ from the examples given.

Prior knowledge
Knowledge of the content of the Cambridge IGCSE™ Mathematics 0580 (Extended curriculum), or Cambridge
International O Level (4024/4029), is assumed. Candidates should be familiar with scientific notation for
compound units, e.g. 5 m s–1 for 5 metres per second.

In addition, candidates should:

6
• be able to carry out simple manipulation of surds (e.g. expressing 12 as 2 3 and as 3 2 ),
2
• know the shapes of graphs of the form y = kx n , where k is a constant and n is an integer (positive or
1
negative) or ! .
2

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

1 Pure Mathematics 1 (for Paper 1)

1.1 Quadratics

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• carry out the process of completing the square e.g. to locate the vertex of the graph of
for a quadratic polynomial ax2 + bx + c and use y = ax2 + bx + c or to sketch the graph
a completed square form

• find the discriminant of a quadratic polynomial e.g. to determine the number of real roots of the
ax2 + bx + c and use the discriminant equation ax2 + bx + c = 0. Knowledge of the term
‘repeated root’ is included.

• solve quadratic equations, and quadratic By factorising, completing the square and using the
inequalities, in one unknown formula.

• solve by substitution a pair of simultaneous e.g. x + y + 1 = 0 and x2 + y2 = 25,

equations of which one is linear and one is 2x + 3y = 7 and 3x2 = 4 + 4xy.
quadratic

• recognise and solve equations in x which are e.g. x4 – 5x2 + 4 = 0, 6x + x − 1 = 0,

quadratic in some function of x. 2
tan x = 1 + tan x.

1.2 Functions

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the terms function, domain,
range, one-one function, inverse function and
composition of functions

1
• identify the range of a given function in simple e.g. range of f : x 7
x for x H 1 and
cases, and find the composition of two given
functions range of g : x 7 x 2 + 1 for x ! R . Including the
condition that a composite function gf can only be
formed when the range of f is within the domain of
g.

• determine whether or not a given function is e.g. finding the inverse of

h : x 7 ^2x + 3h − 4 for x 1 − 2 .
one-one, and find the inverse of a one-one 2 3
function in simple cases

• illustrate in graphical terms the relation between Sketches should include an indication of the mirror
a one-one function and its inverse line y = x.

• understand and use the transformations of the Including use of the terms ‘translation’, ‘reflection’
graph of y = f(x) given by and ‘stretch’ in describing transformations.
y = f(x) + a, y = f(x + a), Questions may involve algebraic or trigonometric
functions, or other graphs with given features.
y = af(x), y = f(ax) and simple combinations of
these.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

1 Pure Mathematics 1

1.3 Coordinate geometry

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• find the equation of a straight line given e.g. given two points, or one point and the gradient.
sufficient information

• interpret and use any of the forms y = mx + c, Including calculations of distances, gradients,
y – y1 = m(x – x1), ax + by + c = 0 in solving midpoints, points of intersection and use of the
problems relationship between the gradients of parallel and
perpendicular lines.

• understand that the equation Including use of the expanded form

(x – a)2 + (y – b)2 = r 2 represents the circle x 2 + y 2 + 2gx + 2fy + c = 0.
with centre (a, b) and radius r

• use algebraic methods to solve problems Including use of elementary geometrical properties
involving lines and circles of circles, e.g. tangent perpendicular to radius,
angle in a semicircle, symmetry.
Implicit differentiation is not included.

• understand the relationship between a graph e.g. to determine the set of values of k for which the
and its associated algebraic equation, and use line y = x + k intersects, touches or does not meet
the relationship between points of intersection a quadratic curve.
of graphs and solutions of equations.

1.4 Circular measure

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the definition of a radian, and use
the relationship between radians and degrees

1 2
use the formulae s = r i and A =
2r i
• Including calculation of lengths and angles in
in solving problems concerning the arc length triangles and areas of triangles.
and sector area of a circle.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

1 Pure Mathematics 1

1.5 Trigonometry

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• sketch and use graphs of the sine, cosine and Including e.g. y = 3 sin x, y = 1 – cos 2x,

y = tan cx + rm .
tangent functions (for angles of any size, and 1
using either degrees or radians) 4

1 3 1
• use the exact values of the sine, cosine and e.g. cos 150c = − = .
2 3 , sin 4 r
tangent of 30°, 45°, 60°, and related angles 2

• use the notations sin–1x, cos­–1x, tan–1x to No specialised knowledge of these functions is
denote the principal values of the inverse required, but understanding of them as examples
trigonometric relations of inverse functions is expected.

sin i
• use the identities
cos i / tan i and e.g. in proving identities, simplifying expressions
and solving equations.
sin 2 i + cos 2 i / 1

• find all the solutions of simple trigonometrical e.g. solve 3 sin 2x + 1 = 0 for − r 1 x 1 r ,
equations lying in a specified interval (general 3 sin 2 i − 5 cos i − 1 = 0 for 0c G i G 360c.
forms of solution are not included).

1.6 Series

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

Including the notations f p and n!

n
• use the expansion of (a + b)n, where n is a
r
positive integer
Knowledge of the greatest term and properties of
the coefficients are not required.

• recognise arithmetic and geometric

progressions

• use the formulae for the nth term and for the Including knowledge that numbers a, b, c are ‘in
sum of the first n terms to solve problems arithmetic progression’ if 2b = a + c (or equivalent)
involving arithmetic or geometric progressions and are ‘in geometric progression’ if b2 = ac (or
equivalent).
Questions may involve more than one progression.

• use the condition for the convergence of a

geometric progression, and the formula for
the sum to infinity of a convergent geometric
progression.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

1 Pure Mathematics 1

1.7 Differentiation

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the gradient of a curve at a point as Only an informal understanding of the idea of a limit
the limit of the gradients of a suitable sequence is expected.
of chords, and use the2 notations e.g. includes consideration of the gradient of the
dy d y
f ′(x), f ″(x), , and 2 for first and second chord joining the points with x coordinates 2 and
dx dx
derivatives (2 + h) on the curve y = x3. Formal use of the
general method of differentiation from first principles
is not required.

dy
• use the derivative of xn (for any rational n), e.g. find , given y = 2x3 + 5 .
dx
together with constant multiples, sums and
differences of functions, and of composite
functions using the chain rule

• apply differentiation to gradients, tangents and Including connected rates of change, e.g. given the
normals, increasing and decreasing functions rate of increase of the radius of a circle, find the rate
and rates of change of increase of the area for a specific value of one of
the variables.

• locate stationary points and determine their Including use of the second derivative for identifying
nature, and use information about stationary maxima and minima; alternatives may be used in
points in sketching graphs. questions where no method is specified.
Knowledge of points of inflexion is not included.

1.8 Integration

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

e.g. ; ^2x3 − 5x + 1h dx , >

1
dx .
^2x + 3h2
• understand integration as the reverse process
of differentiation, and integrate (ax + b)n (for any
rational n except –1), together with constant
multiples, sums and differences

• solve problems involving the evaluation of a e.g. to find the equation of the curve through (1, –2)
constant of integration dy
for which = 2x + 1 .
dx
• evaluate definite integrals Including simple cases of ‘improper’ integrals, such

as ; x dx and ; x-2 dx .
1 1 3
-2
0 1

• use definite integration to find A volume of revolution may involve a region not
– the area of a region bounded by a curve bounded by the axis of rotation, e.g. the region
and lines parallel to the axes, or between a between y = 9 – x2 and y = 5 rotated about the
curve and a line or between two curves x-axis.
– a volume of revolution about one of the
axes.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

2 Pure Mathematics 2 (for Paper 2)

Knowledge of the content for Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1 is assumed, and candidates may be required to
demonstrate such knowledge in answering questions.

2.1 Algebra

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the meaning of |x|, sketch the
Graphs of y = |f(x)| and y = f(|x|) for non-linear
graph of y = |ax + b| and use relations such as
functions f are not included.
|a| = |b| ⇔ a2 = b2 and
|x – a| < b ⇔ a – b < x < a + b when solving e.g. |3x – 2| = |2x + 7|, 2x + 5 < |x + 1|
equations and inequalities

• divide a polynomial, of degree not exceeding 4,

by a linear or quadratic polynomial, and identify
the quotient and remainder (which may be zero)

• use the factor theorem and the remainder e.g. to find factors and remainders, solve
theorem. polynomial equations or evaluate unknown
coefficients.
Including factors of the form (ax + b) in which the
coefficient of x is not unity, and including calculation
of remainders.

2.2 Logarithmic and exponential functions

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the relationship between logarithms
and indices, and use the laws of logarithms
(excluding change of base)

• understand the definition and properties of ex Including knowledge of the graph of y = ekx for both
and ln x, including their relationship as inverse positive and negative values of k.
functions and their graphs

−1 −1
• use logarithms to solve equations and e.g. 2 x 1 5 , 3 # 23x 1 5, 3 x + 1 = 4 2x .
inequalities in which the unknown appears in
indices

• use logarithms to transform a given relationship e.g.

to linear form, and hence determine unknown y = kxn gives ln y = ln k + n ln x which is linear in
constants by considering the gradient and/or ln x and ln y
intercept.
y = k (ax) gives ln y = ln k + x ln a which is linear in
x and ln y.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

2 Pure Mathematics 2

2.3 Trigonometry

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the relationship of the secant,
cosecant and cotangent functions to cosine,
sine and tangent, and use properties and
graphs of all six trigonometric functions for
angles of any magnitude

• use trigonometrical identities for the e.g. simplifying cos ^x − 30ch − 3 sin ^x − 60ch .
simplification and exact evaluation of e.g. solving tan i + cot i = 4 , 2 sec 2 i - tan i = 5 ,
expressions, and in the course of solving 3 cos i + 2 sin i = 1.
equations, and select an identity or identities
appropriate to the context, showing familiarity in
particular with the use of
– sec 2 i /1 + tan 2 i and cosec 2 i /1 + cot 2 i
– the expansions of sin(A ± B), cos(A ± B)
and tan(A ± B)
– the formulae for sin 2A, cos 2A and tan 2A
– the expression of a sin i + b cos i in the
forms R sin ^i ! ah and R cos ^i ! ah .

2.4 Differentiation

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

x
• use the derivatives of e , ln x, sin x, cos x,
tan x, together with constant multiples, sums,
differences and composites

2x − 4 2 2
• differentiate products and quotients e.g. , x ln x, xel – x .
3x + 2
• find and use the first derivative of a function e.g. x = t – e2t, y = t + e2t.
which is defined parametrically or implicitly. e.g. x2 + y2 = xy + 7.
Including use in problems involving tangents and
normals.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

2.5 Integration

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• extend the idea of ‘reverse differentiation’ to Knowledge of the general method of integration by
ax + b 1 substitution is not required.
include the integration of e , ,
ax + b
sin(ax + b), cos(ax + b) and sec2(ax + b)

• use trigonometrical relationships in carrying out e.g. use of double-angle formulae to integrate sin2 x
integration or cos2(2x).

• understand and use the trapezium rule to Including use of sketch graphs in simple cases
estimate the value of a definite integral. to determine whether the trapezium rule gives an
over-estimate or an under-estimate.

2 Pure Mathematics 2

2.6 Numerical solution of equations

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• locate approximately a root of an equation, e.g. finding a pair of consecutive integers between
by means of graphical considerations and/or which a root lies.
searching for a sign change

• understand the idea of, and use the notation

for, a sequence of approximations which
converges to a root of an equation

• understand how a given simple iterative formula Knowledge of the condition for convergence is not
of the form xn + 1 = F(xn) relates to the equation included, but an understanding that an iteration
being solved, and use a given iteration, or an may fail to converge is expected.
iteration based on a given rearrangement of an
equation, to determine a root to a prescribed
degree of accuracy.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

3 Pure Mathematics 3 (for Paper 3)

Knowledge of the content of Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1 is assumed, and candidates may be required to
demonstrate such knowledge in answering questions.

3.1 Algebra

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the meaning of |x|, sketch the Graphs of y = |f(x)| and y = f(|x|) for non-linear
graph of y = |ax + b| and use relations such as functions f are not included.
|a| = |b| ⇔ a2 = b2 and

|x – a| < b ⇔ a – b < x < a + b when solving e.g. |3x – 2| = |2x + 7|, 2x + 5 < |x + 1|.
equations and inequalities

• divide a polynomial, of degree not exceeding 4,

by a linear or quadratic polynomial, and identify
the quotient and remainder (which may be zero)

• use the factor theorem and the remainder e.g. to find factors and remainders, solve
theorem polynomial equations or evaluate unknown
coefficients.
Including factors of the form (ax + b) in which the
coefficient of x is not unity, and including calculation
of remainders.

• recall an appropriate form for expressing Excluding cases where the degree of the numerator
rational functions in partial fractions, and carry exceeds that of the denominator
out the decomposition, in cases where the
denominator is no more complicated than
– (ax + b)(cx + d)(ex + f )
– (ax + b)(cx + d)2
– (ax + b)(cx2 + d)

• use the expansion of (1 + x)n, where n is a Finding the general term in an expansion is not
rational number and x 1 1. included.
Adapting the standard series to expand
e.g. `2 − 2 xj
1 −1
is included, and determining the set
of values of x for which the expansion is valid in
such cases is also included.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

3 Pure Mathematics 3

3.2 Logarithmic and exponential functions

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the relationship between logarithms
and indices, and use the laws of logarithms
(excluding change of base)

• understand the definition and properties of ex Including knowledge of the graph of y = ekx for both
and ln x, including their relationship as inverse positive and negative values of k.
functions and their graphs

−1 −1
• use logarithms to solve equations and e.g. 2 x 1 5 , 3 # 23x < 5 , 3 x + 1 = 4 2x .
inequalities in which the unknown appears in
indices

• use logarithms to transform a given relationship e.g.

to linear form, and hence determine unknown y = kxn gives ln y = ln k + n ln x which is linear in
constants by considering the gradient and/or ln x and ln y.
intercept.
y = k (ax) gives ln y = ln k + x ln a which is linear in
x and ln y.

3.3 Trigonometry

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the relationship of the secant,
cosecant and cotangent functions to cosine,
sine and tangent, and use properties and
graphs of all six trigonometric functions for
angles of any magnitude

• use trigonometrical identities for the e.g. simplifying cos(x – 30˚) – 3 sin(x – 60˚).
simplification and exact evaluation of
expressions, and in the course of solving
e.g. solving tan i + cot i = 4 , 2 sec 2 i − tan i = 5 ,
equations, and select an identity or identities
3 cos i + 2 sin i = 1.
appropriate to the context, showing familiarity in
particular with the use of
– sec 2 i /1 + tan 2 i and cosec 2 i /1 + cot 2 i
– the expansions of sin(A ± B), cos(A ± B)
and tan(A ± B)
– the formulae for sin 2A, cos 2A and tan 2A
– the expression of a sin i + b cos i in the
forms R sin ^i ! ah and R cos ^i ! ah .

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

3 Pure Mathematics 3

3.4 Differentiation

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• x
use the derivatives of e , ln x, sin x, cos x, tan x, Derivatives of sin–1 x and cos–1 x are not required.
tan–1 x, together with constant multiples, sums,
differences and composites

2x − 4 2 2
• differentiate products and quotients e.g. , x ln x, xe1 – x .
3x + 2
• find and use the first derivative of a function e.g. x = t – e2t, y = t + e2t.
which is defined parametrically or implicitly. e.g. x2 + y2 = xy + 7.
Including use in problems involving tangents and
normals.

3.5 Integration

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• extend the idea of ‘reverse differentiation’ to
1
Including examples such as .
1 2 + 3x 2
include the integration of eax + b, ,
ax + b
2
sin(ax + b), cos(ax + b), sec (ax + b)
1
and 2
x + a2
• use trigonometrical relationships in carrying out e.g. use of double-angle formulae to integrate sin2 x
integration or cos2(2x).

• integrate rational functions by means of Restricted to types of partial fractions as specified

decomposition into partial fractions in topic 3.1 above.

kf l^xh x
• , tan x.
f ^xh
recognise an integrand of the form , and e.g. integration of
x +1
2

integrate such functions

• recognise when an integrand can usefully be e.g. integration of x sin 2x, x2e –x, ln x, x tan–1 x.
regarded as a product, and use integration by
parts

• use a given substitution to simplify and evaluate e.g. to integrate sin2 2x cos x using the substitution
either a definite or an indefinite integral. u = sin x.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

3 Pure Mathematics 3

3.6 Numerical solution of equations

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• locate approximately a root of an equation, e.g. finding a pair of consecutive integers between
by means of graphical considerations and/or which a root lies.
searching for a sign change

• understand the idea of, and use the notation

for, a sequence of approximations which
converges to a root of an equation

• understand how a given simple iterative formula Knowledge of the condition for convergence is not
of the form xn + 1 = F(xn) relates to the equation included, but an understanding that an iteration
being solved, and use a given iteration, or an may fail to converge is expected.
iteration based on a given rearrangement of an
equation, to determine a root to a prescribed
degree of accuracy.

3.7 Vectors

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• use standard notations for vectors, i.e.

f p , xi + yj, f yp , xi + yj + zk, AB , a
x
x
y
z

• carry out addition and subtraction of vectors e.g. ‘OABC is a parallelogram’ is equivalent to
and multiplication of a vector by a scalar, and
OB = OA + OC .
interpret these operations in geometrical terms
The general form of the ratio theorem is not
included, but understanding that the midpoint of
AB has position vector 2 _OA + OB i is expected.
1

• calculate the magnitude of a vector, and use In 2 or 3 dimensions.

unit vectors, displacement vectors and position
vectors

• understand the significance of all the symbols e.g. finding the equation of a line given the position
used when the equation of a straight line is vector of a point on the line and a direction vector,
expressed in the form r = a + tb, and find the or the position vectors of two points on the line.
equation of a line, given sufficient information

• determine whether two lines are parallel, Calculation of the shortest distance between two
intersect or are skew, and find the point of skew lines is not required. Finding the equation of
intersection of two lines when it exists the common perpendicular to two skew lines is
also not required.

• use formulae to calculate the scalar product e.g. finding the angle between two lines, and finding
of two vectors, and use scalar products in the foot of the perpendicular from a point to a line;
problems involving lines and points. questions may involve 3D objects such as cuboids,
tetrahedra (pyramids), etc.
Knowledge of the vector product is not required.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

3 Pure Mathematics 3

3.8 Differential equations

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• formulate a simple statement involving a rate of The introduction and evaluation of a constant of
change as a differential equation proportionality, where necessary, is included.

• find by integration a general form of solution for Including any of the integration techniques from
a first order differential equation in which the topic 3.5 above.
variables are separable

• use an initial condition to find a particular

solution

• interpret the solution of a differential equation in Where a differential equation is used to model a
the context of a problem being modelled by the ‘real-life’ situation, no specialised knowledge of the
equation. context will be required.

3.9 Complex numbers

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the idea of a complex number, Notations Re z, Im z, |z|, arg z, z* should be known.
recall the meaning of the terms real part, The argument of a complex number will usually
imaginary part, modulus, argument, conjugate, refer to an angle i such that − r 1 i G r , but in
and use the fact that two complex numbers some cases the interval 0 G i 1 2r may be more
are equal if and only if both real and imaginary convenient. Answers may use either interval unless
parts are equal the question specifies otherwise.

• carry out operations of addition, subtraction, For calculations involving multiplication or division,
multiplication and division of two complex full details of the working should be shown.
numbers expressed in Cartesian form x + iy

• use the result that, for a polynomial equation e.g. in solving a cubic or quartic equation where
with real coefficients, any non-real roots occur one complex root is given.
in conjugate pairs

• represent complex numbers geometrically by

means of an Argand diagram

• carry out operations of multiplication and Including the results |z1z2| = |z1||z2| and
division of two complex numbers expressed in arg _z1 z2i = arg _z1i + arg _z2i , and corresponding
polar form r ^cos i + i sin ih / re ii
results for division.

• find the two square roots of a complex number e.g. the square roots of 5 + 12i in exact Cartesian
form. Full details of the working should be shown.

• understand in simple terms the geometrical

effects of conjugating a complex number and
of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing
two complex numbers

• illustrate simple equations and inequalities e.g. |z – a| < k, |z – a| = |z – b|, arg(z – a) = α.

involving complex numbers by means of loci in
an Argand diagram

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

4 Mechanics (for Paper 4)

Questions set will be mainly numerical, and will aim to test mechanical principles without involving
difficult algebra or trigonometry. However, candidates should be familiar in particular with the following
trigonometrical results:

sin ^90c - ih / cos i , cos ^90c - ih / sin i , tan i / cos i , sin 2 i + cos 2 i / 1.
sin i

Knowledge of algebraic methods from the content for Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1 is assumed.

This content list refers to the equilibrium or motion of a ‘particle’. Examination questions may involve
extended bodies in a ‘realistic’ context, but these extended bodies should be treated as particles, so any
force acting on them is modelled as acting at a single point.

Vector notation will not be used in the question papers.

4.1 Forces and equilibrium

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• identify the forces acting in a given situation e.g. by drawing a force diagram.

• understand the vector nature of force, and find Calculations are always required, not approximate
and use components and resultants solutions by scale drawing.

• use the principle that, when a particle is in Solutions by resolving are usually expected, but
equilibrium, the vector sum of the forces acting equivalent methods (e.g. triangle of forces, Lami’s
is zero, or equivalently, that the sum of the Theorem, where suitable) are also acceptable;
components in any direction is zero these other methods are not required knowledge,
and will not be referred to in questions.

• understand that a contact force between

two surfaces can be represented by two
components, the normal component and the
frictional component

• use the model of a ‘smooth’ contact, and

understand the limitations of this model

• understand the concepts of limiting friction Terminology such as ‘about to slip’ may be used to
and limiting equilibrium, recall the definition of mean ‘in limiting equilibrium’ in questions.
coefficient of friction, and use the relationship
F = nR or F G nR , as appropriate

• use Newton’s third law. e.g. the force exerted by a particle on the ground
is equal and opposite to the force exerted by the
ground on the particle.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

4 Mechanics

4.2 Kinematics of motion in a straight line

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the concepts of distance Restricted to motion in one dimension only.
and speed as scalar quantities, and of The term ‘deceleration’ may sometimes be used in
displacement, velocity and acceleration as the context of decreasing speed.
vector quantities

• sketch and interpret displacement–time graphs

and velocity–time graphs, and in particular
appreciate that
– the area under a velocity–time graph
represents displacement,
– the gradient of a displacement–time graph
represents velocity,
– the gradient of a velocity–time graph
represents acceleration

• use differentiation and integration with respect Calculus required is restricted to techniques from
to time to solve simple problems concerning the content for Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1.
displacement, velocity and acceleration

• use appropriate formulae for motion with Questions may involve setting up more than one
constant acceleration in a straight line. equation, using information about the motion of
different particles.

4.3 Momentum

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• use the definition of linear momentum and For motion in one dimension only.
show understanding of its vector nature

• use conservation of linear momentum to solve Including direct impact of two bodies where the
problems that may be modelled as the direct bodies coalesce on impact.
impact of two bodies. Knowledge of impulse and the coefficient of
restitution is not required.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

4 Mechanics

4.4 Newton’s laws of motion

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• apply Newton’s laws of motion to the linear If any other forces resisting motion are to be
motion of a particle of constant mass moving considered (e.g. air resistance) this will be indicated
under the action of constant forces, which may in the question.
include friction, tension in an inextensible string
and thrust in a connecting rod

• use the relationship between mass and weight W = mg. In this component, questions are mainly
numerical, and use of the approximate numerical
value 10 (m s–2) for g is expected.

• solve simple problems which may be modelled Including, for example, motion of a particle on a
as the motion of a particle moving vertically or rough plane where the acceleration while moving
on an inclined plane with constant acceleration up the plane is different from the acceleration while
moving down the plane.

• solve simple problems which may be modelled e.g. particles connected by a light inextensible
as the motion of connected particles. string passing over a smooth pulley, or a car towing
a trailer by means of either a light rope or a light
rigid tow-bar.

4.5 Energy, work and power

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the concept of the work done W = Fd cos i ;
by a force, and calculate the work done by a Use of the scalar product is not required.
constant force when its point of application
undergoes a displacement not necessarily
parallel to the force

• understand the concepts of gravitational

potential energy and kinetic energy, and use
appropriate formulae

• understand and use the relationship between Including cases where the motion may not be linear
the change in energy of a system and the (e.g. a child on a smooth curved ‘slide’), where only
work done by the external forces, and use in overall energy changes need to be considered.
appropriate cases the principle of conservation
of energy

• use the definition of power as the rate at which Including calculation of (average) power as
a force does work, and use the relationship Work done
.
between power, force and velocity for a force Time taken
acting in the direction of motion P = Fv.

• solve problems involving, for example, the

instantaneous acceleration of a car moving on
a hill against a resistance.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

5 Probability & Statistics 1 (for Paper 5)

Questions set will be mainly numerical, and will test principles in probability and statistics without involving
knowledge of algebraic methods beyond the content for Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1.

Knowledge of the following probability notation is also assumed: P(A), P ^A , Bh , P ^A + Bh , P(A|B) and the
use of A′ to denote the complement of A.

5.1 Representation of data

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• select a suitable way of presenting raw
statistical data, and discuss advantages and/
or disadvantages that particular representations
may have

• draw and interpret stem-and-leaf diagrams, Including back-to-back stem-and-leaf diagrams.

box-and-whisker plots, histograms and
cumulative frequency graphs

• understand and use different measures of e.g. in comparing and contrasting sets of data.
central tendency (mean, median, mode) and
variation (range, interquartile range, standard
deviation)

• use a cumulative frequency graph e.g. to estimate medians, quartiles, percentiles, the
proportion of a distribution above (or below) a given
value, or between two values.

• calculate and use the mean and standard

deviation of a set of data (including grouped
data) either from the data itself or from given
totals / x and / x 2 , or coded totals /^x − ah
and /^x − ah , and use such totals in solving
2

problems which may involve up to two data

sets.

5.2 Permutations and combinations

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the terms permutation and
combination, and solve simple problems
involving selections

• solve problems about arrangements of objects Questions may include cases such as people
in a line, including those involving sitting in two (or more) rows.
– repetition (e.g. the number of ways Questions about objects arranged in a circle will not
of arranging the letters of the word be included.
‘NEEDLESS’)
– restriction (e.g. the number of ways several
people can stand in a line if two particular
people must, or must not, stand next to
each other).

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

5 Probability & Statistics 1

5.3 Probability

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• evaluate probabilities in simple cases by means e.g. the total score when two fair dice are thrown.
of enumeration of equiprobable elementary e.g. drawing balls at random from a bag containing
events, or by calculation using permutations or balls of different colours.
combinations

• use addition and multiplication of probabilities, Explicit use of the general formula
as appropriate, in simple cases P ^A , Bh = P ^Ah + P ^Bh − P ^A + Bh is not required.

• understand the meaning of exclusive and

independent events, including determination
of whether events A and B are independent
by comparing the values of P ^A + Bh and
P ^Ah # P ^Bh

• calculate and use conditional probabilities in e.g. situations that can be represented by a sample
simple cases. space of equiprobable elementary events, or a tree
P ^A + Bh
diagram. The use of P ^A Bh =
P ^Bh
may be
required in simple cases.

5.4 Discrete random variables

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• draw up a probability distribution table relating
to a given situation involving a discrete random
variable X, and calculate E(X) and Var(X)

• use formulae for probabilities for the binomial Including the notations B(n, p) and Geo(p). Geo(p)
and geometric distributions, and recognise denotes the distribution in which pr = p(1 – p)r – 1 for
practical situations where these distributions r = 1, 2, 3, … .
are suitable models

• use formulae for the expectation and variance Proofs of formulae are not required.
of the binomial distribution and for the
expectation of the geometric distribution.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

5 Probability & Statistics 1

5.5 The normal distribution

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the use of a normal distribution to Sketches of normal curves to illustrate distributions
model a continuous random variable, and use or probabilities may be required.
normal distribution tables

• solve problems concerning a variable X, where For calculations involving standardisation, full
X + N _n, v 2i , including details of the working should be shown.

– finding the value of P _X > x1i , or a related _X - ni

e.g. Z =
probability, given the values of x1, n, v. v
– finding a relationship between x1, n and v
given the value of P _X > x1i or a related
probability

• recall conditions under which the normal n sufficiently large to ensure that both np > 5 and
distribution can be used as an approximation nq > 5.
to the binomial distribution, and use this
approximation, with a continuity correction, in
solving problems.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

6 Probability & Statistics 2 (for Paper 6)

Knowledge of the content of Paper 5: Probability & Statistics 1 is assumed, and candidates may be required
to demonstrate such knowledge in answering questions. Knowledge of calculus within the content for
Paper 3: Pure Mathematics 3 will also be assumed.

6.1 The Poisson distribution

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• use formulae to calculate probabilities for the
distribution Po ^mh

• use the fact that if X + Po ^mh then the mean Proofs are not required.
and variance of X are each equal to m

• understand the relevance of the Poisson

distribution to the distribution of random events,
and use the Poisson distribution as a model

• use the Poisson distribution as an The conditions that n is large and p is small should
approximation to the binomial distribution be known; n > 50 and np < 5, approximately.
where appropriate

• use the normal distribution, with continuity The condition that m is large should be known;
correction, as an approximation to the Poisson m 2 15 , approximately.
distribution where appropriate.

6.2 Linear combinations of random variables

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• use, when solving problems, the results that Proofs of these results are not required.
– E(aX + b) = aE(X) + b and
Var(aX + b) = a2 Var(X)
– E(aX + bY) = aE(X) + bE(Y)
– Var(aX + bY) = a2 Var(X) + b2 Var(Y) for
independent X and Y
– if X has a normal distribution then so does
aX + b
– if X and Y have independent normal
distributions then aX + bY has a normal
distribution
– if X and Y have independent Poisson
distributions then X + Y has a Poisson
distribution.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

6 Probability & Statistics 2

6.3 Continuous random variables

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the concept of a continuous For density functions defined over a single interval
random variable, and recall and use properties only; the domain may be infinite,
of a probability density function 3
e.g. for x H 1.
x4
• use a probability density function to solve Including location of the median or other percentiles
problems involving probabilities, and to of a distribution by direct consideration of an area
calculate the mean and variance of a using the density function.
distribution. Explicit knowledge of the cumulative distribution
function is not included.

6.4 Sampling and estimation

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the distinction between a sample
and a population, and appreciate the necessity
for randomness in choosing samples

• explain in simple terms why a given sampling Including an elementary understanding of the use
method may be unsatisfactory of random numbers in producing random samples.
Knowledge of particular sampling methods, such
as quota or stratified sampling, is not required.

• recognise that a sample mean can be regarded

as a random variable, and use the facts that

E _X i = n and that Var _X i = n

v2

• use the fact that _X i has a normal distribution

if X has a normal distribution

• use the Central Limit Theorem where Only an informal understanding of the Central Limit
appropriate Theorem (CLT) is required; for large sample sizes,
the distribution of a sample mean is approximately
normal.

• calculate unbiased estimates of the population Only a simple understanding of the term ‘unbiased’
mean and variance from a sample, using either is required, e.g. that although individual estimates
raw or summarised data will vary the process gives an accurate result ‘on
average’.

• determine and interpret a confidence interval

for a population mean in cases where the
population is normally distributed with known
variance or where a large sample is used

• determine, from a large sample, an approximate

confidence interval for a population proportion.

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 Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 syllabus for 2026 and 2027. Subject content

6 Probability & Statistics 2

6.5 Hypothesis tests

Candidates should be able to: Notes and examples

• understand the nature of a hypothesis test, the Outcomes of hypothesis tests are expected to
difference between one-tailed and two-tailed be interpreted in terms of the contexts in which
tests, and the terms null hypothesis, alternative questions are set.
hypothesis, significance level, rejection region
(or critical region), acceptance region and test
statistic

• formulate hypotheses and carry out a

hypothesis test in the context of a single
observation from a population which has a
binomial or Poisson distribution, using
– direct evaluation of probabilities
– a normal approximation to the binomial or
the Poisson distribution, where appropriate

• formulate hypotheses and carry out a

hypothesis test concerning the population
mean in cases where the population is normally
distributed with known variance or where a
large sample is used

• understand the terms Type I error and Type II

error in relation to hypothesis tests

• calculate the probabilities of making Type I and

Type II errors in specific situations involving
tests based on a normal distribution or direct
evaluation of binomial or Poisson probabilities.

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