OCR A Level Further Mathematics A H245

🔢 OCR A Level Further Mathematics Formula Sheet 2026

All the core pure, further mechanics, and further statistics formulas for OCR A Level Further Maths A (H245) — collected in one organised reference for 2026 exams.

Core Pure Further Mechanics Further Statistics H245 Specification

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Aligned with the latest 2026 syllabus and board specifications. This sheet is prepared to match your exam board’s official specifications for the 2026 exam series.

Master OCR Further Maths Across All Papers

OCR A Level Further Mathematics A (H245) builds on H240 with rigorous core pure content and options in further mechanics and statistics. This 2026 sheet condenses every key formula, identity and theorem into one navigable reference.

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Matrices, eigenvalues and transformations

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Complex numbers, De Moivre and roots of unity

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Polar curves, hyperbolic functions, further calculus

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Further mechanics: SHM, circular motion, Hooke's law

Matrices

Determinants, inverses, transformations and eigenvalues.

2×2 Matrix Determinant & Inverse

A = (a b; c d) ; det A = ad − bc
A⁻¹ = (1/det A) (d −b; −c a) , exists iff det A ≠ 0

3×3 Determinant

Expand along row 1: det A = a(ei − fh) − b(di − fg) + c(dh − eg)

Linear Transformations (2D)

Rotation by θ

R = (cosθ −sinθ; sinθ cosθ)

Reflection in y = x tanθ

(cos 2θ sin 2θ; sin 2θ −cos 2θ)

Enlargement (factor k)

(k 0; 0 k)

Eigenvalues & Eigenvectors

Av = λv with v ≠ 0 ; characteristic equation det(A − λI) = 0

Diagonalisation: A = PDP⁻¹ where columns of P are eigenvectors and D = diag(λ₁, λ₂, …).

Invariant Lines & Points

Invariant point: A x = x ⇒ (A − I)x = 0
Invariant line y = mx + c maps onto itself; substitute and equate.

Complex Numbers

Argand diagrams, modulus-argument, De Moivre and roots of unity.

Forms of a Complex Number

Cartesian

z = x + iy with i² = −1

Modulus & argument

|z| = √(x² + y²) ; arg z = arctan(y/x), adjusted by quadrant, −π < arg z ≤ π

Polar / exponential

z = r(cosθ + i sinθ) = r e^(iθ)

Operations

(z₁)(z₂): moduli multiply, arguments add
z₁/z₂: moduli divide, arguments subtract

Conjugate

z̄ = x − iy ; z z̄ = |z|² ; (z₁ z₂)* = z₁* z₂*

De Moivre's Theorem

(cosθ + i sinθ)ⁿ = cos nθ + i sin nθ for n ∈ ℤ

Use to derive multiple-angle identities, e.g. cos 3θ = 4cos³θ − 3cosθ.

Roots of Unity

n-th roots of unity: zₖ = e^(2πik/n), k = 0, 1, …, n−1
Sum of n-th roots of unity = 0 (n ≥ 2); they form a regular n-gon on the unit circle.

Loci in the Argand Plane

|z − a| = r is a circle radius r centred at a
|z − a| = |z − b| is the perpendicular bisector of ab
arg(z − a) = θ is a half-line from a making angle θ with positive real axis

Series, Induction & Polar Curves

Standard series, method of differences, induction proofs and polar areas.

Standard Summations

Σᵣ₌₁ⁿ r = n(n+1)/2
Σᵣ₌₁ⁿ r² = n(n+1)(2n+1)/6
Σᵣ₌₁ⁿ r³ = [n(n+1)/2]² = (Σr)²

Method of Differences

If uᵣ = f(r) − f(r+1) (telescoping) then Σᵣ₌₁ⁿ uᵣ = f(1) − f(n+1)

Express uᵣ in partial fractions to spot the telescoping structure.

Proof by Induction

1) Base case n = 1 (or smallest case) 2) Inductive step: assume true for n = k, prove for n = k+1 3) Conclude by induction

Polar Curves r = f(θ)

Polar ↔ Cartesian

x = r cosθ, y = r sinθ ; r² = x² + y², tanθ = y/x

Area of sector

A = ½ ∫_α^β r² dθ

Common curves

r = a (circle), r = aθ (spiral), r = a(1 + cosθ) (cardioid), r = a cos kθ (rose)

Hyperbolic Functions & Further Calculus

Hyperbolic identities, inverses and arc-length / surface-area integrals.

Definitions

sinh x = (eˣ − e⁻ˣ)/2 ; cosh x = (eˣ + e⁻ˣ)/2 ; tanh x = sinh x / cosh x

Identities

cosh²x − sinh²x = 1 ; 1 − tanh²x = sech²x
sinh 2x = 2 sinh x cosh x ; cosh 2x = cosh²x + sinh²x = 2cosh²x − 1 = 1 + 2sinh²x

Derivatives & Inverses

d/dx (sinh x) = cosh x ; d/dx (cosh x) = sinh x ; d/dx (tanh x) = sech²x
arsinh x = ln(x + √(x² + 1)) ; arcosh x = ln(x + √(x² − 1)), x ≥ 1 ; artanh x = ½ ln[(1+x)/(1−x)], |x| < 1

Arc Length & Surface Area

Arc length (Cartesian)

L = ∫ₐᵇ √(1 + (dy/dx)²) dx

Arc length (parametric)

L = ∫_t₁^t₂ √((dx/dt)² + (dy/dt)²) dt

Surface of revolution about x-axis

S = 2π ∫ₐᵇ y √(1 + (dy/dx)²) dx

Vectors: Lines & Planes

3D geometry of lines, planes and shortest distances.

Plane Equations

Vector form

(r − a) · n = 0

Cartesian form

n₁x + n₂y + n₃z = d where d = a · n

Through three points

n = (b − a) × (c − a)

Cross Product

a × b = (a₂b₃ − a₃b₂, a₃b₁ − a₁b₃, a₁b₂ − a₂b₁)
|a × b| = |a||b| sinθ ; perpendicular to both a and b

Distances & Angles

Point to plane

d = |n₁x₀ + n₂y₀ + n₃z₀ − d| / |n|

Skew lines

d = |(a₂ − a₁) · (b₁ × b₂)| / |b₁ × b₂|

Angle between planes

cosθ = |n₁ · n₂| / (|n₁||n₂|)

Further Mechanics

Circular motion, work–energy in 2D, elastic strings and SHM.

Circular Motion

v = rω ; centripetal acceleration a = v²/r = rω²
Centripetal force F = mv²/r = mrω²

For vertical circle: at top, T + mg = mv²/r ; at bottom, T − mg = mv²/r.

Hooke's Law & Elastic Strings

Tension

T = λx/l where λ = modulus of elasticity, l = natural length, x = extension

Elastic potential energy

EPE = λx²/(2l) = ½kx² with k = λ/l

Work–Energy in 2D

Work done by F along curve = ∫ F · dr

Conservation of energy

KE₁ + PE₁ + EPE₁ + W_other = KE₂ + PE₂ + EPE₂

Simple Harmonic Motion

ẍ = −ω²x ; x = a cos(ωt + φ) or a sin(ωt + φ)

Velocity & period

v² = ω²(a² − x²) ; T = 2π/ω ; vₘₐₓ = aω

Further Statistics

Chi-squared, geometric, Poisson and continuous distributions.

Chi-Squared Test

χ² = Σ (Oᵢ − Eᵢ)² / Eᵢ

Degrees of freedom

Goodness of fit: ν = (cells) − 1 − (parameters estimated) ; Contingency table: ν = (rows − 1)(cols − 1)

Reject H₀ if χ²_calc > critical value at significance level α.

Geometric Distribution X ~ Geo(p)

P(X = r) = (1 − p)^(r−1) p, r = 1, 2, …

Mean & variance

E(X) = 1/p ; Var(X) = (1 − p)/p²

Poisson Distribution X ~ Po(λ)

P(X = r) = e^(−λ) λʳ / r!

Mean & variance

E(X) = Var(X) = λ

Sum of independent Poissons: X + Y ~ Po(λ_X + λ_Y).

Continuous Distributions

PDF condition

f(x) ≥ 0 and ∫_(−∞)^(∞) f(x) dx = 1
E(X) = ∫ x f(x) dx ; Var(X) = ∫ x² f(x) dx − [E(X)]²

CDF

F(x) = P(X ≤ x) = ∫_(−∞)^x f(t) dt

t-Distribution (Single Mean, σ Unknown)

t = (x̄ − μ₀)/(s/√n) with ν = n − 1 degrees of freedom

How to Use This Formula Sheet

Boost your Cambridge exam confidence with these proven study strategies from our tutoring experts.

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Build on H240 First

Further Maths assumes total fluency with H240 pure. Make sure differentiation, integration, and trig identities are automatic before tackling further topics.

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Drill the Standard Techniques

Method of differences, induction proofs, and matrix transformations follow templates — drill the structure until the steps are reflexive.

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Visualise Geometric Topics

Sketch Argand diagrams, polar curves, and 3D vector geometry. Visualisation prevents algebraic mistakes and helps interpret answers.

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Practise the Optional Papers

Choose your option papers (mechanics or statistics) early and practise full past papers under timed conditions to build pacing.

Formula Sheet FAQ

Quick answers about this free PDF and how to use it for exam revision and active recall.

Is the OCR A Level Further Mathematics Formula Sheet 2026 free to download as a PDF?

Yes. This Tutopiya formula sheet is free to use and you can download it as a PDF from this page for offline revision. There is no payment or account required for the PDF download.

What Further Mathematics topics and equations does this formula sheet cover?

This page groups key Further Mathematics formulas in one place for revision. OCR A Level Further Maths A (H245) formula sheet for 2026: matrices, complex numbers, polar curves, hyperbolic functions, further mechanics (SHM, circular motion) and further statistics (chi-squared, Poisson). Always cross-check with your official syllabus and past papers for your exam session.

Can I use this instead of the official exam formula booklet in the exam?

No. In the exam you must follow only what your exam board allows in the hall—usually the official formula booklet or data sheet where provided. This page is a revision and teaching aid, not a replacement for board-issued materials.

Who is this formula sheet for (Upper Secondary)?

It is written for students preparing for assessments at Upper Secondary in Further Mathematics, including classroom revision, homework support, and independent study. Teachers and tutors can also share it as a quick reference.

How should I revise with this formula sheet?

Work through past paper questions, quote the correct formula before substituting values, and check units and notation every time. Pair this sheet with timed practice and mark schemes so you see how examiners expect working to be set out.

Where can I get more help with Further Mathematics revision?

Explore Tutopiya’s study tools, past paper finder, and revision checklists linked from our tools hub, or book a trial lesson with a subject specialist for personalised support alongside this formula reference.

Need Help with OCR Further Maths?

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This formula sheet aligns with OCR A Level Further Mathematics A (H245) for the 2026 exam series.

OCR provides a formula booklet in the exam — confirm with the latest specification which formulas are given and which must be memorised.