The applications of mathematics extend beyond the sciences and engineering domains. A basic understanding
of mathematics and statistics, and the ability to think mathematically and statistically are essential for an
educated and informed citizenry. For example, social scientists use mathematics to analyse data, support
decision making, model behaviour, and study social phenomena.
H1 Mathematics provides students with a foundation in mathematics and statistics that will support their
business or social sciences studies at the university. It is particularly appropriate for students without O Level
Additional Mathematics because it offers an opportunity for them to learn important mathematical concepts
and skills in algebra and calculus that were taught in Additional Mathematics. Students will also learn basic
statistical methods that are necessary for studies in business and social sciences.

The aims of H1 Mathematics are to enable students to:
(a) acquire mathematical concepts and skills to support their tertiary studies in business and the social
sciences
(b) develop thinking, reasoning, communication and modelling skills through a mathematical approach to
problem-solving
(c) connect ideas within mathematics and apply mathematics in the context of business and social sciences
(d) experience and appreciate the value of mathematics in life and other disciplines.

There are three levels of assessment objectives for the examination.

The assessment will test candidates’ abilities to:
AO1 Understand and apply mathematical concepts and skills in a variety of problems, including those
that may be set in unfamiliar contexts, or require integration of concepts and skills from more than
one topic.
AO2 Formulate real-world problems mathematically, solve the mathematical problems, interpret and
evaluate the mathematical solutions in the context of the problems.
AO3 Reason and communicate mathematically through making deductions and writing mathematical
explanations and arguments.

The use of an approved GC without computer algebra system will be expected. The examination papers will
be set with the assumption that candidates will have access to GC. As a general rule, unsupported answers
obtained from GC are allowed unless the question states otherwise. Where unsupported answers from GC
are not allowed, candidates are required to present the mathematical steps using mathematical notations
and not calculator commands. For questions where graphs are used to find a solution, candidates should
sketch these graphs as part of their answers. Incorrect answers without working will receive no marks.
However, if there is written evidence of using GC correctly, method marks may be awarded.
Students should be aware that there are limitations inherent in GC. For example, answers obtained by
tracing along a graph to find roots of an equation may not produce the required accuracy.

Notwithstanding the presentation of the topics in the syllabus document, it is envisaged that some examination
questions may integrate ideas from more than one topic, and those topics may be tested in the contexts of
problem solving and application of mathematics.
Possible list of H1 Mathematics applications and contexts:

The list illustrates some types of contexts in which the mathematics learnt in the syllabus may be applied,
and is by no means exhaustive. While problems may be set based on these contexts, no assumptions will be made about the knowledge of these contexts. All information will be self-contained within the problem.

For the examination in H1 Mathematics, there will be one 3-hour paper marked out of 100 as follows:

Section A (Pure Mathematics – 40 marks) will consist of about 5 questions of different lengths and marks
based on the Pure Mathematics section of the syllabus.

Section B (Probability and Statistics – 60 marks) will consist of 6 to 8 questions of different lengths and
marks based on the Probability and Statistics section of the syllabus.

There will be at least two questions, with at least one in each section, in the application of Mathematics in
real-world contexts, including those from business and the social sciences. Each question will carry at least
12 marks and may require concepts and skills from more than one topic.

Candidates will be expected to answer all questions.