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STEP Support Programme

STEP 2 Curve Sketching

Introduction

This module introduces you to STEP questions which involve Curve Sketching. You will find it helpful to complete the "STEP 2 Calculus" module first.

This STEP 2 module consists of 4 STEP questions, some topic notes and useful formulae, a "hints" sheet and a "solutions" booklet.

STEP questions are challenging, so don't worry if you get stuck. These STEP 2 modules assume that you have already begun to develop your problem-solving skills and approach to STEP questions by working on the Foundation modules.

About this assignment

Curve sketching is a very useful tool, and can often be helpful when solving equations, inequalities, or trying to find maxima and minima. STEP questions may not ask you to draw a graph, but you should always consider whether this might be a useful approach.

Useful Links

Underground Mathematics: Selected worked STEP questions

STEP Question database

University of Cambridge Mathematics Faculty: What do we look for?

University of Cambridge Mathematics Faculty: Information about STEP

University of Cambridge Admissions Office: Undergraduate course information for Mathematics

Stephen Siklos' "Advanced Problems in Mathematics" book (external link)

MEI: Worked solutions to STEP questions (external link)

OCR: Exam board information about STEP (external link)

AMSP (Advanced Maths Support programme): Support for University Admission Tests (external link)