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CSS written syllabus

CSS Applied Mathematics Syllabus

Applied Mathematics is a 100-mark Group II optional subject in the CSS written exam, examined in one three-hour paper. Below is FPSC's official syllabus, word for word: every section, topics and suggested readings.

Marks
100
Papers
1
Time
3 hours a paper
Group
Group II
Subject code
18

The paper

100 marks
  • I.
    Vector Calculus (10%) Vector algebra; scalar and vector products of vectors; gradient divergence and curl of a vector; line, surface and volume integrals; Green’s, Stokes’ and Gauss theorems.
  • II.
    Statics (10%) Composition and resolution of forces; parallel forces and couples; equilibrium of a system of coplanar forces; centre of mass of a system of particles and rigid bodies; equilibrium of forces in three dimensions.
  • III.
    Dynamics (10%)
    • •
      Motion in a straight line with constant and variable acceleration; simple harmonic motion; conservative forces and principles of energy.
    • •
      Tangential, normal, radial and transverse components of velocity and acceleration; motion under central forces; planetary orbits; Kepler laws;
  • IV.
    Ordinary differential equations (20%)
    • •
      Equations of first order; separable equations, exact equations; first order linear equations; orthogonal trajectories; nonlinear equations reducible to linear equations, Bernoulli and Riccati equations.
    • •
      Equations with constant coefficients; homogeneous and inhomogeneous equations; Cauchy-Euler equations; variation of parameters.
    • •
      Ordinary and singular points of a differential equation; solution in series; Bessel and Legendre equations; properties of the Bessel functions and Legendre polynomials.
  • V.
    Fourier series and partial differential equations (20%)
    • •
      Trigonometric Fourier series; sine and cosine series; Bessel inequality; summation of infinite series; convergence of the Fourier series.
    • •
      Partial differential equations of first order; classification of partial differential equations of second order; boundary value problems; solution by the method of separation of variables; problems associated with Laplace equation, wave equation and the heat equation in Cartesian coordinates.
  • VI.
    Numerical Methods (30%)
    • •
      Solution of nonlinear equations by bisection, secant and Newton-Raphson methods; the fixed- point iterative method; order of convergence of a method.
    • •
      Solution of a system of linear equations; diagonally dominant systems; the Jacobi and Gauss-Seidel methods.
    • •
      Numerical differentiation and integration; trapezoidal rule, Simpson’s rules, Gaussian integration formulas.
    • •
      Numerical solution of an ordinary differential equation; Euler and modified Euler methods; Runge- Kutta methods.

Suggested readings

  • 1.An Introduction to Vector AnalysisKhalid Latif,
  • 2.Introduction to MechanicsQ.K. Ghori
  • 3.An Intermediate Course in Theoretical MechanicsKhalid Latif,
  • 4.Differential Equations with Boundary Value ProblemsD. G. Zill and M. R. Cullen
  • 5.Elementary Differential EquationsE.D. Rainville, P.E. Bedient and R.E. Bedient
  • 6.Introduction to Ordinary Differential EquationsA.L.Rabenstein
  • 7.Advanced Engineering MathematicsE. Kreyszig
  • 8.An Introduction to Numerical AnalysisMohammad Iqbal
  • 9.Numerical AnalysisR.L Burden and J.D Faires
  • 10.Elements of Numerical AnalysisF. Ahmad and M.A Rana
  • 11.Mathematical MethodsS. M. Yousaf, Abdul Majeed and Muhammad Amin

Past papers

FPSC's Applied Mathematics papers from 2016 to 2026, as text. Open a year, or see them all.

FPSC's wording, spelling and numbering, as printed in its Revised Syllabi for CSS Competitive Examination (CE-2016 and onwards), updated 7th July, 2015.

The written exam starts with the MPT

Only candidates who pass the MCQ screening test (MPT) sit the written papers. Practice the 200-question MPT under exam conditions first.