Possible topics for H2 Maths Paper 2

• wee_ws

  7 Nov 12, 13:24

  Hi,

    Differential equations
    Plane problem (unlikely)
    Volume of revolution
    Method of differences
    AP/GP
    Loci and Argand diagrams
    Rate of change
    Sketching transformations of graphs
    Composite functions
    Graph of a rational function (quadratic/linear type)
  
    Jiayou and good luck!

  Cheers,
  Wen Shih

• wee_ws

  7 Nov 12, 20:28

  Hi,

    Answers to paper 1:
    http://wenshih.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/h2-maths-2012-paper-1-answers.pdf

    I believe these are areas where students may face difficulty:
  
  1. Q4(i) involves the use of sine rule and there is the need to expand sin (A-B) and evaluate special angles.
  
  2. Both parts of Q5 require accurate algebraic manipulation steps.
  
  3. In Q7(i), it is easy to become confused with f and g. In the remaining parts, dealing with an arbitrary k may be a challenge.
  
  4. In the first two parts of Q8, careful algebraic manipulation steps are necessary to obtain both results. One may not be able to conclude about the nature of the turning point via the second derivative test, since it is unconventional to use it in the context of implicit differentiation.
  
  5. In Q9(ii) the way the question has been phrased may not be understood as the typical foot of the perpendicular problem.
  
  6. In Q10(i), one may forget to consider the area of the floor as part of the external surface area, leading to h = 0. One may face difficulty trying to simplify h. In the next part, one may not think that the problem is not at all related to maxima/minima.
  
  7. In Q11(i), one may not know what to say about the tangents. In the last part, manipulation steps may not be straightforward since trigonometric expressions are involved.

    Thanks.

  Cheers,
  Wen Shih

• SBS n SMRT

  7 Nov 12, 21:14

  Thanks for the files, can I leave 1st integration using modulus sign...

• wee_ws

  8 Nov 12, 06:07

  Hi,

    I believe it is okay, thanks.

  Cheers,
  Wen Shih

• SBS n SMRT

  8 Nov 12, 20:02

  thanks

• wee_ws

  9 Nov 12, 21:43

  Hi,

    Answers (handwritten) to H2 Maths Paper 2, for your reference:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenshih/8169399680/in/photostream
  

  
    Overall, it may be a tiring paper for students since there are many small parts and there are several questions requiring higher level of accuracy.
  
    Likely areas of difficulty I have identified after attempting the questions:
  
  Q1(b) Simplifying the answer.
  
  Q2(ii)(b) Finding x and y, which are horizontal and vertical components of |z|.
  
  (iii) Finding arg z, which is negative.
  
  Q3(ii) Factorising.
  
  Q4(ii) Recognising the pattern.
  
  Q4(iii) Forming the equation by considering the last day of Nov 2003 and 1st day of Dec 2003.
  
  Q5(ii) Obtaining the accurate value.
  
  Q6(ii) Using the correct test.
  
  Q7(ii) Correctly interpreting the meaning of "not all next to one another".
  
  Q7(iv) Correctly interpreting the meaning of "either...or...or both".
  
  Q8(ii) Giving a reason that seems logical.
  
  Q8(iii) Giving reasons that fit the context.
  
  Q8(iv) Obtaining the accuarate value.
  
  Q8(vi) Obtaining the integer value for the particular week.
  
  Q8(vii) Giving the correct interpretation of L in context.
  
  Q9(i) Giving the assumptions that fit the context.
  
  Q9(iv) Giving the value of p to the appropriate level of accuracy.
  
  Q10(i) Giving the assumptions that fit the context.
  
  Q10(vi) Correctly interpreting the meaning of "at least 3 times as many pottery shards as gold coins".
  
    Thanks, good luck for the remaining papers of other subjects!

  Cheers,
  Wen Shih

• SBS n SMRT

  9 Nov 12, 22:39

  Thanks, for Q10 (v) can I do like this

  X = the amount of potery shards and gold coins in 1 square meter

  X ~ Po ( 3.8)

  Let S = X1 + X2 + ... X10 

  (S is the total amount of potery shards and gold coins in 50 square meters)

  By Central Limit theorem , since n = 50 > 50,

  S~N(190, 190) approx

  P(X > or equal to 200) = 0.234 (3sf)

• wee_ws

  10 Nov 12, 07:59

  Hi,

    In (v), the question wants one to consider one plot of 50 square metres. Your solution considers 50 plots of 1 square metre each, so that may not be appropriate.

    Thanks.

  Cheers,
  Wen Shih

• SBS n SMRT

  10 Nov 12, 11:51

  The reason why I thought of CLT is that the entire paper seems to not ask for any CLT so I guess this part may be appropiate for CLT. 

• wee_ws

  10 Nov 12, 13:57

  Hi,

    I see your reasoning, I believe you would still be awarded marks for effort, say N(190, 190). This exam did not ask quite a far amount of content, thus breaking the convention that everything must be assessed. Cambridge examiners seem to have very specific assessment outcomes in mind when they set questions these days.

    Thanks.

  Cheers,
  Wen Shih

• wee_ws

  10 Nov 12, 15:23

  Hi,

    Here I address a difficulty of wording assumptions for a model to be valid in a certain context:
  
    http://wenshih.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/wording-the-assumptions-for-a-model-to-be-valid.pdf

    For Q9(i), we will then word the assumptions as follow:
  
    1. The preference of each voter must be independent of the preference of any other voter.

    2. The probability that any one voter is supporting the Alliance Party is the same throughout the sample.

    For Q10(i), we will present the assumptions in this way:

    1. Gold coins are found independently and randomly.

    2. The average number of gold coins found is constant over the space interval given (1 square metre).

    Thanks.

  Cheers,
  Wen Shih

• Discord

  12 Nov 12, 12:13

  How did you guys find the math paper? I thought it was okay