Course Objectives
Objectives of the various courses are included in the syllabuses for secondary schools prepared by the Curriculum Development Council. Topics to be taught in different teaching groups are designed and reviewed from time to time to meet the needs of individual students.
Through a continuously refined pedagogical framework, the course emphasizes rigorous logical deduction, systematic inquiry, and effective academic communication. It seeks to establish a dynamic learning environment where students move beyond routine computation to master abstract reasoning, thereby unlocking their full potential across diverse academic disciplines and professional endeavours.
This course aims at developing students’:
- ability to conceptualize, inquire, reason and communicate mathematically, and to use mathematics to formulate and solve problems in daily life as well as in mathematical contexts;
- ability to manipulate numbers, symbols and other mathematical objects;
- number sense, symbol sense, spatial sense and a sense of measurement as well as the capability in appreciating structures and patterns;
- positive attitude towards mathematics and the capability in appreciating the aesthetic nature and cultural aspect of mathematics;
- proficiency in utilizing mathematical modelling and data analytics, equipping them to formulate hypotheses, discern hidden structures, and derive evidence-based conclusions;
- profound appreciation for the cross-disciplinary universality of mathematics, recognizing its fundamental role as an intellectual foundation across science, technology, economics, and humanistic pursuits.
Yearly Departmental Major Concerns
- Improve teaching and learning through collective insights
- Uplift subject-focused methods to boost student learning outcomes
HKDSE Mathematics Curriculum S1 – S3
Course Objectives
To enable students to cope confidently with the mathematics needed in their future studies, workplaces or daily life in a technological and information-rich society, this course aims at developing students:
- the ability to conceptualize, inquire, reason and communicate mathematically, and to use mathematics to formulate and solve problems in daily life as well as in mathematical contexts;
- the ability to manipulate numbers, symbols and other mathematical objects;
- the number sense, symbol sense, spatial sense and a sense of measurement as well as the capability in appreciating structures and patterns;
- a positive attitude towards mathematics and the capability in appreciating the aesthetic nature and cultural aspect of mathematics.
Curriculum S1 – S3
S1
- Basic Computation
- Directed Numbers
- Basic Algebra (I)
- Basic Algebra (II)
- Percentages (I)
- Basic Geometry
- Mensuration (I)
- Rectangular Coordinate System (I)
- Angles and Parallel Lines (I)
- Congruence and Similarity (I)
- Numerical Estimation
- Organization and Presentation of Data (I)
S2
- Approximation and Errors
- Operations and Factorization of Polynomials
- Identities
- Algebraic Fractions and Formulae
- Linear Equations in Two Unknowns
- Angles and Parallel Lines (II)
- Organization and Presentation of Data (II)
- Rates, Ratios and Proportions
- Congruence and Similarity (II)
- Polygons
- Pythagoras’ Theorem and Irrational Numbers
- Introduction to Trigonometry
- Mensuration (II)
S3
- More about Factorization
- Laws of Integral Indices
- Percentages (II)
- Linear Inequalities in One Unknown
- Probability
- Measures of Central Tendency
- More About Triangles
- Quadrilaterals
- More About 3-D Figures
- Mensuration (III)
- Trigonometric Relations
- Applications in Trigonometry
- Rectangular Coordinate System (II)
HKDSE Mathematics Curriculum S4 – S6 Compulsory Part
Course Objectives
The Compulsory Part serves as a foundation for all students and at the same time provides flexibility to cater for the diverse needs of individual students. Its contents are categorised into Foundation Topics and Non-foundation Topics. The Foundation Topics constitute a coherent set of essential concepts and knowledge while the Non-foundation Topics cover a wider range of content.
The topics in the Compulsory Part emphasise the relevance of mathematics to various human activities. Students are expected to engage in different activities to foster their awareness of the worldwide use of mathematical terminology, notation and strategies to solve problems. Also, to enable students to recognise and appreciate the interconnection between the different parts of mathematics they have learnt at both the junior and senior secondary levels, a “Further Applications” learning unit is incorporated into the Compulsory Part.
This course aims to enable students to:
- further develop students’ mathematical knowledge, skills and concepts;
- provide students with mathematical tools for their personal development and future career pathways;
- provide a foundation for students who may further their studies in Mathematics or related areas;
- develop in students the generic skills, and in particular, the capability to use mathematics to solve problems, reason and communicate;
- develop in students interest in and positive attitudes towards mathematics learning;
- develop students’ competence and confidence in dealing with mathematics needed in life; and
- help students to fulfil their potential in mathematics.
Curriculum S4 – S6
S4
- Number Systems
- Equations of Straight Lines
- Quadratic Equations in One Unknown
- Basic Knowledge of Functions
- Quadratic Functions
- More about Polynomials
- Exponential Functions
- Logarithmic Functions
- Rational Functions
- Basic Trigonometry
- Basic Properties of Circles
- More about Basic Properties of Circles
S5
- More about Equations
- Inequalities in One Unknown
- More about Graphs of Functions
- Variations
- Permutations and Combinations
- More about Probability
- Locus
- Equations of Circles
- Applications of Trigonometry in 2-dimentional Problems
- Applications of Trigonometry in 3-dimentional Problems
- Measures of Dispersion
S6
- Arithmetic Sequences
- Geometric Sequences
- Linear Inequalities in Two Unknowns and Linear Programming
- Uses and Abuses of Statistics
HKDSE Mathematics Curriculum S4 – S6 Extension Modules 1 and 2
Course Objectives
The Extended Parts are designed for students who need more mathematical knowledge and skills for their future studies and careers, and for those whose interests and maturity have been developed to a level that enables them to benefit from further mathematical study in different areas. The Extended Parts aim at extending students’ mathematics horizon beyond the Compulsory Part. Students have to handle more complicated problems in the Extended Part than in the Compulsory Part.
Module 1 (Calculus and Statistics) and Module 2 (algebra and Calculus) are intended to cater for those students who will be involved in disciplines or careers which demand a wider scope and deeper understanding of mathematics, and for those who would like to learn more mathematical applications at the senior secondary level.
This course aims to enable students to aims to:
- provide students with skills and concepts beyond the Compulsory Part;
- emphasise applications rather than mathematical rigour with a view to widening students’ perspectives on mathematics; and
- provide students with intuitive concepts of calculus and statistics, related basic skills and useful tools for their future studies and careers.
Curriculum S4 – S6
Extension Module 1: Calculus and Statistics
- Binomial Expansion
- Exponential Functions and Logarithmic Functions
- Limits and Derivatives
- Differentiation
- Application of Differentiation
- Indefinite Integration and its Applications
- Definite Integration and its Applications
- Further Probability
- Probability Distribution, Expectation and Variance
- Discrete Probability Distributions
- Continuous Random Variables and Normal Distribution
- Sampling Distribution and Parameter Estimation
Extension Module 2: Algebra and Calculus
- Mathematical Induction
- Binomial Theorem
- Trigonometry (I)
- Trigonometry (II)
- Limits and the Number e
- Differentiation
- Applications of Differentiation
- Indefinite Integration and its Applications
- Definite Integration
- Applications of Definite Integration
- Matrices and Determinants
- System of Linear Equations
- Introduction of Vectors
- Scalar Products and Vector Products
IAL Mathematics S4 – S6
Course Objectives
The Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Mathematics provides a flexible, modular structure designed to accommodate diverse student needs and progression pathways. The curriculum is structured around core Pure Mathematics units (P1–P4) which establish a robust foundation of essential concepts, complemented by elective applications units in Mechanics, Statistics, and Decision Mathematics.
The units emphasize the relevance of mathematics to real-world modelling, physical sciences, economics, and technology. Students engage in structured and unstructured problem-solving activities to foster critical thinking, precise calculation, and mathematical fluency. By emphasizing both foundational techniques and advanced applications, the course ensures that students recognize and appreciate the profound interconnection between different branches of mathematics.
This course aims to enable students to:
- develop their understanding of mathematics and mathematical processes in a way that promotes confidence and fosters enjoyment;
- develop abilities to reason logically and recognise incorrect reasoning, to generalise and to construct mathematical proofs;
- extend their range of mathematical skills and techniques and use them in more difficult, unstructured problems;
- develop an understanding of coherence and progression in mathematics and of how different areas of mathematics can be connected;
- recognise how a situation may be represented mathematically and understand the relationship between real-world problems and mathematical models;
- acquire the skills needed to use technology effectively and be aware of its limitations; and
- develop an awareness of the relevance of mathematics to other fields of study, to the world of work and to society in general.
Curriculum S4 – S6
Compulsory Core (Pure Mathematics)
- Pure Mathematics 1 (P1)
- Pure Mathematics 2 (P2)
- Pure Mathematics 3 (P3)
- Pure Mathematics 4 (P4)
Applied Electives (Choose 2 Modules)
- Statistics 1 (S1)
- Statistics 2 (S2)
- Mechanics 1 (M1)
- Mechanics 2 (M2)
- Decision Mathematics 1 (D1)
Continuous Assessment
- Major Assignments
- Pre-lesson Tasks
- Independent Learning Projects / Presentation
- Quizzes
- Tests
- Uniform Test
- Examination


