The Edexcel A level Maths formula booklet

By Fatema Bhatt, Founder, STEM-Tutor · Updated October 2026

In every Edexcel A level Maths (9MA0) paper you get a booklet called Mathematical Formulae and Statistical Tables. It helps, but Pearson publishes a list of formulas that are deliberately left out, and those are the ones that cost marks. Here is both sides.

When you get the booklet

Pearson's specification says the booklet Mathematical Formulae and Statistical Tables is provided in all three A level Maths papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2 (pure mathematics) and Paper 3 (statistics and mechanics). Each paper lasts 2 hours, is worth 100 marks, and allows a calculator. The same booklet covers AS and A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, so it contains sections you will never use.

What the booklet gives you

The booklet is organised into pure mathematics, mechanics and statistics sections, followed by statistical tables. For A level Maths, the most useful parts are:

• Series: the sum of an arithmetic series, the sum and sum to infinity of a geometric series, and the binomial series.
• Logarithms and exponentials: changing the base of a logarithm, and writing a^x in terms of e.
• Trigonometry: the compound angle identities for sin, cos and tan, and the small angle approximations.
• Differentiation and integration: tables of less common derivatives and integrals, the quotient rule and integration by parts.
• Numerical methods: the trapezium rule and the Newton-Raphson iteration.
• Mechanics: the equations of motion with constant acceleration.
• Statistics: probability rules and, in the tables, binomial and normal distribution values.

Always practise with the current official booklet from Pearson's website, and check the version number, so you know exactly where everything sits.

What you must learn: Pearson's official list

Appendix 1 of the 9MA0 specification lists the formulas students are expected to know, which will not appear in the booklet:

• Quadratic formula: x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2a.
• Laws of indices and laws of logarithms, including log_a x = n ⇔ aⁿ = x.
• Coordinate geometry: y − y₁ = m(x − x₁), and perpendicular gradients multiply to −1.
• Sequences: the nth term of an arithmetic progression, a + (n − 1)d, and of a geometric progression, arⁿ⁻¹.
• Trigonometry: the sine rule, cosine rule and ½ab sin C; cos²A + sin²A ≡ 1; sec²A ≡ 1 + tan²A; cosec²A ≡ 1 + cot²A; and the double angle formulas for sin 2A, cos 2A and tan 2A.
• Mensuration: the circumference and area of a circle, Pythagoras' theorem, the area of a trapezium, the volume of a prism, and the arc length rθ and sector area ½r²θ.
• Differentiation: derivatives of xⁿ, sin kx, cos kx, e^kx and ln x, plus the sum, product and chain rules.
• Integration: the matching integrals of xⁿ, cos kx, sin kx, e^kx and 1/x, reverse chain rule results, and area under a curve as a definite integral.
• Vectors: the magnitude of xi + yj + zk.
• Statistics: the mean of a set of data, and the standard normal variable Z = (X − μ) / σ.
• Mechanics: weight = mass × g, friction F ≤ μR, F = ma, and the calculus relationships between displacement, velocity and acceleration.

Using the booklet: the trapezium rule

Estimate the integral of √(1 + x) from 0 to 2 using the trapezium rule with 4 strips.

• h = 0.5. The y-values at x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 are 1, 1.2247, 1.4142, 1.5811, 1.7321.
• The booklet gives ½h{(y₀ + y_n) + 2(y₁ + … + y_n−1)}.
• = 0.25 × {2.7321 + 2 × 4.2200} = 0.25 × 11.1721 = 2.79 (3 s.f.).

A formula you must know: double angles

Solve sin 2x = sin x for 0 ≤ x < 360°.

• sin 2x = 2 sin x cos x is not in the booklet, so it must be recalled.
• 2 sin x cos x − sin x = 0, so sin x(2 cos x − 1) = 0.
• sin x = 0 gives x = 0° or 180°; cos x = ½ gives x = 60° or 300°. So x = 0°, 60°, 180°, 300°.

Chain and product rules together

Differentiate y = x²e^3x.

• Product rule (must be known): dy/dx = 2x e^3x + x² × 3e^3x.
• dy/dx = xe^3x(2 + 3x).

How to train with the booklet

1. Download the official booklet and use it for every past paper, so finding a formula takes seconds.
2. Make a one-page list of Pearson's must-know formulas above, and test yourself on it weekly.
3. Learn the conditions: the sum to infinity needs |r| < 1, and the binomial series for non-integer powers needs |x| small enough.
4. Practise the tables: reading binomial and normal tables quickly, and knowing when your calculator is faster.

Common mistakes

• Searching the booklet for the double angle formulas or the chain rule, which Pearson leaves out on purpose.
• Using a Further Maths section by mistake.
• Working in degrees with calculus or arc length formulas that need radians.
• Forgetting the conditions for a formula to apply.

Practice questions

Try each one before opening the answer.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Edexcel formula booklet the same for all three papers?

Yes. The same booklet is provided in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3.

Does the booklet include the normal distribution tables?

Yes, the booklet includes statistical tables, although most students use their calculator's distribution functions.

Is the Edexcel booklet the same as AQA's or OCR's?

No. Each board publishes its own booklet with different contents. See our AQA booklet guide.

Key takeaways

• The booklet is provided in all three 9MA0 papers.
• It covers series, logs, compound angles, calculus tables, numerical methods, suvat and statistics.
• Pearson lists the formulas you must know: they are not in it.
• Double angles, the chain and product rules, and log laws must be learned.
• Practise with the official booklet.

Related guides

• A level Maths formula booklets compared
• AQA A level Maths formula booklet
• Edexcel A level Maths past papers
• Double angle formulae