Edexcel IAL Pure Maths 1 (WMA11): Topics, Format and How to Prepare

Pure Mathematics 1 is the first unit almost every Edexcel IAL Maths student sits. It is compulsory for both the International AS (XMA01) and the International A Level (YMA01), and everything in P2 to P4 builds on it.

What is the format of WMA11?

Detail	Pure Mathematics 1 (WMA11/01)
Time	1 hour 30 minutes
Marks	75, all questions compulsory
Calculator	Allowed (no symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration)
Formulae	Mathematical Formulae and Statistical Tables booklet provided
Series	January, June and October
Counts towards	IAS Mathematics, IAL Mathematics, and the Pure Mathematics qualifications
Grading	Converted to UMS out of 100; A is 80

What topics are in P1?

1. Algebra and functions

• Laws of indices for all rational exponents.
• Surds, including rationalising denominators.
• Quadratic functions and their graphs; the discriminant (b² − 4ac > 0, = 0, < 0).
• Completing the square; solving quadratics by factorising, formula, calculator and completing the square.
• Simultaneous equations by substitution (one linear, one quadratic).
• Linear and quadratic inequalities: solving them and showing them graphically, with dotted and solid line conventions.
• Expanding and factorising polynomials up to degree 3, for example x³ + 4x² + 3x.
• Sketching curves: simple cubics, y = k/x and y = k/x², trig graphs, asymptotes, and using intersections to solve equations.
• Transformations: y = af(x), y = f(x) + a, y = f(x + a), y = f(ax).

2. Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane

• Equations of straight lines: y − y₁ = m(x − x₁) and ax + by + c = 0.
• Lines through two points, and parallel or perpendicular lines through a point.

3. Trigonometry

• The sine and cosine rules, including the ambiguous case of the sine rule, and area = ½ab sin C.
• Radians, arc length s = rθ and sector area A = ½r²θ.
• Graphs of sine, cosine and tangent: symmetries, periodicity, and curves such as y = 3 sin x or y = sin 2x.

4. Differentiation

• The derivative as the gradient of a tangent and as a rate of change; second derivatives.
• Differentiating xⁿ and sums, for example (2x + 5)(x − 1) after expanding.
• Tangents and normals at a point.
• The chain rule is not required in P1.

5. Integration

• Indefinite integration as the reverse of differentiation.
• Integrating xⁿ and related sums, differences and constant multiples (excluding n = −1).

Definite integration and areas come later, in P2.

Which formulae do you have to know?

The specification lists formulae that will not appear in the booklet for P1:

• the quadratic formula;
• the sine rule and the area of a triangle, ½ab sin C;
• arc length rθ and sector area ½r²θ;
• the derivative of xⁿ and the integral of xⁿ.

Learn these until you can write them without thinking.

How should you prepare for P1?

1. Make algebra automatic. Indices, surds, completing the square and factorising cubics appear across the whole paper.
2. Sketch every graph by hand. Transformations and curve sketching questions need clean, labelled sketches with intercepts and asymptotes.
3. Practise the ambiguous case. Sine rule questions with two possible angles are a classic P1 trap.
4. Use topic questions, then full papers. Work in 90-minute blocks, about 1.2 minutes per mark.
5. Pick your series. Because P1 runs in January, June and October, many students sit it early. If a result is lower than you wanted, you can resit it and the best result counts.

How does P1 compare with Cambridge 9709 Paper 1?

They overlap but are not the same. Cambridge Paper 1 is longer (1 hour 50 minutes) and also includes functions with inverses and composites, series and the binomial expansion, the chain rule, stationary points and definite integration. In Edexcel those topics are spread across P1 to P4. See Edexcel IAL vs Cambridge A Level Maths.

Back to the Edexcel IAL Maths guide.