What you "must know" to achieve maximum marks.



Advice as to which questions to attempt and when.
What is the best kept secret on paper!. What questions can you safely leave out?



See our solutions to past exam questions in algebra and sequences and series (AP/GP)


'Complex numbers' See questions form 1995 to 1999.

'Solutions'
See the 2000 paper.

Ordinary Level Paper 1

Essentials!

Question 1 Arithmetic

  • Must be able to find Compound Interest
  • Must be able to find the cost price when given the percentage profit .
  • Must be able to work out a persons take home pay if given their gross pay, tax free allowance and tax rates .
  • Must be ableto handle numbers written in Scientific notation .
  • Must be able to deal with % errors.
  • Must have a knowledge of working with ratios is a must

Question 2 Algebra

 This is the first of two questions on Algebra :

  • Must be able to solve an inequality.
  • Must be able to solve simultaneous equations ,.either two linear equations or a Linear and a quadratic.
  • Must be able to write a given expression in index form ,and solve an index equation

Question 3 : Algebra :

  • Must be able to write one thing in terms of another
  • Must be able to use the factor  theorem.
  • Must be able to answer questions on the graph of a quadratic function . Or given a quadratic function to find the coefficients of x and the independent term.

Question 4 :Complex Numbers

  • Must be able to add,subtract,multiply ,divide complex numbers ,find the modulus and the conjugate.
  • Must be able to solve a Quadratic Equation which has complex roots,(use the roots formula and don't forget that .
  • Must be able to plot Complex numbers on an Argand diagram.
  • Must be able to solve linear equations involving Complex numbers . (REALs = REALS ,I = I )

Question 5 : AP's and GP's:   

  • Must know the formulae for the Tn and Sn of an Ap and be able to find a and  d  using simultaneous equations.
  • Must know that in all AP's T2 - T1 = T3 - T2 = d.
  • Must be able to find a and d if given Sn .(d) Must know the formulae for Tn and Sn of a GP .
  • Must know that in all GP's that T2/T1 = T3/T2 = r.
  • Must be able to find a and r if given two terms of a GP.(this is the easiest question on paper 1)

Question 6: Periodic Functions

  •  Must be able to find the period and range when given the graph of a function .
  • Calculus (i) Must be able to find the Max and Min of a cubic function .
  • Graph Must be able to sketch the graph of the cubic function in part (b) for certain values of x . You will use the results of part (b) to help you draw your graph .(this can be a messy question)

Question 7: Calculus :

  • Must be able to differentiate from first principals.
  • Must be able to use (i) the product (ii) The quotient (iii) The chain rules for differentiation.
  • Must be able to deal with problems involving distance speed ,and time using differential Calculus.

Question 8 : Functions

  • Must be able to find f(x) given different values for x.
  • Must be able to solve equations of the form f(x) = a.
  • Must be able to sketch the graphs of functions of the type f(x) = 1/(x + 3) . A cubic function came up in 1999 this was a bit  different.

General Comment

  •  Questions do not have to be done in any particular order, do the easiest questions first.
  • If your algebra is not good use your calculator for all situations involving minus signs, use the roots formula() to solve quadratic equations.
  • It is essential that you pick your questions carefully.
  • Know your formulae and write them down as soon as you get into the exam hall Do all graphs on graph paper and remember the best way to scale a graph is to use 10 small squares between each number on the X axis and 5 between each number on the Y axis. 

Remember how the marking scheme works ( a, = 10 marks, b = 20 marks, c = 20 marks ). All questions carry attempt marks which are awarded for any step taken in the right direction . The attempt marks are usually 1/3 of the marks for the particular section . Errors are punished as follows   -1 for a slip (a small arithmetical error ) -3 for a blunder a more serious technical error .If an error is repeated in a question it is only punished once (you only lose 3 marks not 6 ). Graphs are marked as follows 2 marks for each correct  couple and one mark for plotting the couple .In questions involvingformula ,the formula filled in correctly will get most of the marks .Diagrams are useful and may merit some marks if they show added information not given in the question and constitute a step in the right direction .

 



 



What you "must know" to achieve maximum marks.



Advice as to which questions to attempt and when.
What is the best kept secret on paper!. What questions can you safely leave out?



See solutions for leaving past papers in trigonometry.