Dreading ordinary level maths!!!!

Aaron547

I'm going to fail because i haven't a clue.

LittleMissLost

Go over past exam papers and make sure you can do the A parts and most of the B parts for a D/C grade. Pay someone to do a couple of hours intensive revision with you the night before. Really, €50 is worth it if it means saving you having to repeat the entire year because you failed maths!

Even someone (serious) who did higher level last year would be fine!

lisabisa

I'm dreading paper two, delighted we have the weekend to revise it!

But if you don't understand the stuff, you really should get someone, even a friend whos not doing the exams, to go through it with you.
Its so much harder when you try figure it out. Best of luck though

Aaron547

Hmm....I really don't have anyone to do it with but if i leant all the past paper questions of by heart would you say i would pass?

lisabisa

Aaron547 wrote: »

Hmm....I really don't have anyone to do it with but if i leant all the past paper questions of by heart would you say i would pass?

Maths is difficult in that sense, all you can do it keep going over questions and hope you get the hang of it. But yes, go through your exam papers and try make sure you can answer most a/b questions in it

GSI

Aaron547 wrote: »

I'm going to fail because i haven't a clue.

You can pass with just the A parts and the B parts. If you just want to pass, ignore the C parts completely and go all out on As and Bs:)

Aaron547

lisabisa wrote: »

I'm dreading paper two, delighted we have the weekend to revise it!

But if you don't understand the stuff, you really should get someone, even a friend whos not doing the exams, to go through it with you.
Its so much harder when you try figure it out. Best of luck though

I use e-xamit for soloutions so u get the jist of them.

Not to sound arrogant, but how does one fail ordinary level maths? :eek:

GSI

AdamD wrote: »

Not to sound arrogant, but how does one fail ordinary level maths? :eek:

Many people fail it. Record numbers every year.

Mysteriouschic

I'm dreading it myself more paper 1 I know some of it. Others really throw me off and since lasts year 2010 got a horrible paper , I hope it's not the same this year. I need a c3 maths too and I failed my maths mocks on both papers.
I just can't and won't drop I have studied it quite a bit .

J_E

GSI wrote: »

Many people fail it. Record numbers every year.

I can't really understand it either. Higher Level is understandable, but literally with OL what you see is what you get. If you practice at any section it will come up the same way in the paper. You don't have to fully understand what you are doing, unlike HL where they throw out some really awful questions that you will have never seen before.

CdeP

Attempt as many questions as you can.

I know it sounds simple and you were probably going to do so anyway but there are a decent amount of marks on offer for attempting the question and the marks do add up.

flyaway.

Try EVERY SINGLE QUESTION. Seriously, even if you look at it and think ''I don't have a clue'' do SOMETHING. They do try to give you the marks if you make the attempt to at least do something.

CdeP

Cydoniac wrote: »

I can't really understand it either. Higher Level is understandable, but literally with OL what you see is what you get. If you practice at any section it will come up the same way in the paper. You don't have to fully understand what you are doing, unlike HL where they throw out some really awful questions that you will have never seen before.

A lot of people neglect to do any work for OL as they they presume they'll pass or get a C regardless.

Figures seem to suggest otherwise though.

Daniel S

flyaway. wrote: »

Try EVERY SINGLE QUESTION. Seriously, even if you look at it and think ''I don't have a clue'' do SOMETHING. They do try to give you the marks if you make the attempt to at least do something.

Even if you just write out the numbers of the alphabet you're guaranteed to get some marks!

LilMissCiara

GSI wrote: »

You can pass with just the A parts and the B parts. If you just want to pass, ignore the C parts completely and go all out on As and Bs:)

No

Attempt Marks

Try EVERYTHING!

Aaron547

mtb_kng wrote: »

Even if you just write out the numbers of the alphabet you're guaranteed to get some marks!

ye ill probably just keep doing exam papers

floutingmaxims

Ive spent most my time pouring over Paper 1's and have totally neglected paper 2. Today my friend asked me how i was sorted for linear programming and i cant remember for the life of me what the fcuk that is..! :rolleyes:

xclw

use your log tables wisely. i was the only one in my year that got an a1 in the mock never looked at anything before the exam, you just need to work.
Paper 1
Q1 - Know compound interest and use your formulas in the log tables
Q2 - algebra
Q3 - algebra (look at solutions on e-xamit for the last 3 years and learn the method and you'll be guaranteed to be ok cos they are the same questions every year)
Q4 - Modulus, how to divide and equating real and imaginary numbers.
Q5 - Sequences - log tables this is one of the easiest questions you just need to read the question and use the correct formulas and method.
Q7 - this is the easiest differentiation q generally speaking, be able to identify product and quoitent rule (log tables again) and learn first principles and max and min pt too

Paper 2
Q1 - Area and volume - log tables
Q2 - co ordinate of line - log tables
Q3 - co ordinate of circle - log tables and transformation too
Q5 - Trig - log tables take your time on this one and look for what your being asked
Q6 - probability - if you don't get this don't do it at all you don't get attempt marks really your either right or wrong
Q7 - statistics - know mode, mean and standard deviation
Q9 - vectors - really similar to complex numbers really, they can't be multiplied, dot product and just stuff like that.

honestly though if you go over the last 3 years in your papers theres no reason why you can't do well in this subject, just think a little harder and use your log tables and write down your formulas!!!
you can get every single question wrong on your paper and still get 70% if you have the right method.

shannon_tek

I dont know where i stand. i scrap is all i want. me and numbers are bad. through in the alphabet and im screwed. just in one eye and out the other. oh. ....... im more worried about maths cause it broke me in two during the mocks i walked out. made a balls of it head to toe.

PurpleVintage

Um... is this thread and the advice given out, also applied to people in the 24 pilot schools? Cause I am almost certain that people wouldn't be wondering so much about how someone can fail any level paper in Maths, if they were in one of the pilot schools. If the people who wondered about it, actually are... than well, you're either very good at maths, study your arse off, or your teachers are wonderful, as a LOT of my classmates that were B/A standard in OL normal maths papers, are struggling to even get 30%. Needless to say, a crapload, including myself, dont even know if we'll pass foundation.

Here's my advice... if you're doing the old syllabus... stop thinking about how bad it is and enjoy the fact you get the opportunity to sit that exam. Go over your notes, look at the blue boxes in your chapters, and practice, practice, practice.

If you're doing the same paper i'm doing... no matter what level... well, all I can say is, failing wont be the end of the world

Good luck ya'll. I'm completely stressed over maths, but have accepted my faith. /sob

christina_x

GSI wrote: »

You can pass with just the A parts and the B parts. If you just want to pass, ignore the C parts completely and go all out on As and Bs:)

I really wouldn't do that tbh! Wouldn't you have to get 100% in A + B? (I'm guessing, can't remember the marking).
Do as much as you can. show all your work! You gain points just by showing how you got your answer! You can gain some marks in C for showing work but no answer!

cocoshovel

AdamD wrote: »

Not to sound arrogant, but how does one fail ordinary level maths?

:rolleyes:

Exothermic

Start off and do everything you can. Highlight the questions on the paper as you so them so you keep track of it all.
Then, look at the remaining questions. Attempt something, it could get you a few marks and they all really add up.
If you're not sure how or what to do at least put down the formula and have a go at working it out.

For some questions you might know the answer but not understand how to get it. Using a trial and error method on your calculator could work? Just make sure to write down the steps you took to get it.

Just don't give up during the exam. Sit through it. Try and answer as much as you can. Re-check your calculations.

fionnsci

It's very possible to fail OL maths for all you begrudgers. I got a B in the JC but haven't worked at maths and got 55 or so in my mock in OL. There are plenty of people who would have failed maths for their JC and haven't done any work.

Advice wise, just go through each of the topics in your book. Look at the given examples and try them, then compare what you did to the solutions. Once you think you understand it, try some of the harder exapmles. I got through all of differentiation yesterday doing that.

._.

Buy Revise Wise Paper 2 and look learn as much differentiation as possible for Paper one (It comes up in 3 questions - 6, 7 & 8) and just go over whatever else then. IDK if you'd even have time to do this or not, you probably won't if you do geography.
Then over the weekend go over all of paper two, or as much of it as you can.
I advise you do Linear Programming for your section 2 question, it's the exact same question they ask you every time, but with slightly different numbers.
Give it your best shot and don't forget to attempt everything in a question you're doing, attempt marks are your friends.

PurpleVintage

PurpleVintage wrote: »

Um... is this thread and the advice given out, also applied to people in the 24 pilot schools? Cause I am almost certain that people wouldn't be wondering so much about how someone can fail any level paper in Maths, if they were in one of the pilot schools. If the people who wondered about it, actually are... than well, you're either very good at maths, study your arse off, or your teachers are wonderful, as a LOT of my classmates that were B/A standard in OL normal maths papers, are struggling to even get 30%. Needless to say, a crapload, including myself, dont even know if we'll pass foundation.

Here's my advice... if you're doing the old syllabus... stop thinking about how bad it is and enjoy the fact you get the opportunity to sit that exam. Go over your notes, look at the blue boxes in your chapters, and practice, practice, practice.

If you're doing the same paper i'm doing... no matter what level... well, all I can say is, failing wont be the end of the world

Good luck ya'll. I'm completely stressed over maths, but have accepted my faith. /sob

I asked the question and I'm in a pilot school doing HL. Old course looks easier tbh I definitely agree with you there.

doc_17

Some truely awful advice being dispensed here.

The person who said to ignore part c qs should be ignored. Some of the c (i) questions are fairly strightforward and you can rack up significant attempt marks at least for little work and these attempt marks really count if you are borderline.

LilMissCiara

AdamD wrote: »

Not to sound arrogant, but how does one fail ordinary level maths? :eek:

It's actually quite simple. If you get less than 40% then you fail!

Ficheall

mtb_kng wrote: »

Even if you just write out the numbers of the alphabet you're guaranteed to get some marks!

What are the numbers of the alphabet, as a matter of interest?


Also - I'm sure if someone were to lob a paper up here we'd fly through it in no time. Assuming that's not against forum rules.
Though it hardly has a latex/math mode does it?

Ficheall

Eep - didn't realise the paper was tomorrow. My bad.

Assuming you're looking at past exam papers, if there's a question you're having difficulty with, just throw the year and question up here and we'll try to explain it. I'll be faffing about online into the wee hours at any rate. Never say die!

doyler101

xclw wrote: »

use your log tables wisely. i was the only one in my year that got an a1 in the mock never looked at anything before the exam, you just need to work.
Paper 1
Q1 - Know compound interest and use your formulas in the log tables
Q2 - algebra
Q3 - algebra (look at solutions on e-xamit for the last 3 years and learn the method and you'll be guaranteed to be ok cos they are the same questions every year)
Q4 - Modulus, how to divide and equating real and imaginary numbers.
Q5 - Sequences - log tables this is one of the easiest questions you just need to read the question and use the correct formulas and method.
Q7 - this is the easiest differentiation q generally speaking, be able to identify product and quoitent rule (log tables again) and learn first principles and max and min pt too

Paper 2
Q1 - Area and volume - log tables
Q2 - co ordinate of line - log tables
Q3 - co ordinate of circle - log tables and transformation too
Q5 - Trig - log tables take your time on this one and look for what your being asked
Q6 - probability - if you don't get this don't do it at all you don't get attempt marks really your either right or wrong
Q7 - statistics - know mode, mean and standard deviation
Q9 - vectors - really similar to complex numbers really, they can't be multiplied, dot product and just stuff like that.

honestly though if you go over the last 3 years in your papers theres no reason why you can't do well in this subject, just think a little harder and use your log tables and write down your formulas!!!
you can get every single question wrong on your paper and still get 70% if you have the right method.

cheers this is really good advice. you should be doing Higher level you made the course clearer than my teacher...

Dr.Evil

You get marks for writing down the right formula for a question. And more marks for putting the right numbers in the right question. You can get every answer wrong and still pass the paper.

Maybe_Memories

Dr.Evil wrote: »

You get marks for writing down the right formula for a question. And more marks for putting the right numbers in the right question. You can get every answer wrong and still pass the paper.

You can get every answer wrong and still get an A!

Precious flower

Dr.Evil wrote: »

You get marks for writing down the right formula for a question. And more marks for putting the right numbers in the right question. You can get every answer wrong and still pass the paper.

Are you certain about that because I thought if the formulas were in the log tables then they wouldn't give you marks for just coping out of the log tables, I could be wrong though! I'm freaking out about paper 1 more than 2! Just want to pass!!:o

Dr.Evil

If you put the right type formula down for the right question you'll get marks. Because it shows you know that this question needs this formula to solve it. And the right numbers is another step towards getting the right answer. But you can't just throw down every formula. :P

Ficheall

Dr.Evil wrote: »

If you put the right type formula down for the right question you'll get marks.

I wouldn't be 100% sure on that.
There's a lot of "A correct relevant formula isolated and stops is awarded the attempt mark if the formula is not in the Formulae and Tables booklet." in the marking scheme, and "Correct formula and stop" is listed under Worthless/0 marks for many questions.
One should definitely fill values for the variables in the formulae though - you might get lucky!

doc_17

Dr.Evil wrote: »

You get marks for writing down the right formula for a question. And more marks for putting the right numbers in the right question. You can get every answer wrong and still pass the paper.

This is incorrect.

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

You can get every answer wrong and still get an A!

True

Sparkie93

im thinking of dropping to foundation although will i get a college place if i do? i only got 20% in mocks lol

xclw

you do get marks for writing formulas actually, it depends on how many marks is going for the question most of the time, but generally for 10 mark questions you do get marks if its the correct formula as it indicates to the examiner you do recognise what you are being asked also known as attempt marks.
if you don't write out the formula in an answer but still use it they'll actually dock you marks there

WhiskeyGoblin

Sorry if this seems absolutly stupid, but in regards to Question 4.. How do I know where to apply the -b formula? o.o

Lollipop95

I'm in the Junior Cert and doing foundation So yeah I find ordinary level maths impossible(before I moved down) and our teacher told us foundatin maths in leaving is like ordinary maths in Junior.... Sorry,I know I shouldn't be in this thread,I just saw it on the homepage and couldn't resist visitng just for curiousy..I'll leave now. G'luck btw Sure ye'll all do great

doc_17

Sparkie93 wrote: »

im thinking of dropping to foundation although will i get a college place if i do? i only got 20% in mocks lol

After 2 years of career guidance and maybe LCVP you should know this. Surely you know what course you are applying to and are cApable of fndng it on the web and reading the entry requirements. ll course have different entry requirements but if I was an employer I wouldn't hire anyone who wasnt capable of passing OL maths

xclw wrote: »

you do get marks for writing formulas actually, it depends on how many marks is going for the question most of the time, but generally for 10 mark questions you do get marks if its the correct formula as it indicates to the examiner you do recognise what you are being asked also known as attempt marks.
if you don't write out the formula in an answer but still use it they'll actually dock you marks there

Actually no.

marko93 wrote: »

Sorry if this seems absolutly stupid, but in regards to Question 4.. How do I know where to apply the -b formula? o.o

Every time you see a quadratic in Q4 use -b rule. eg z^2 + z +1=0

Ficheall

marko93 wrote: »

Sorry if this seems absolutly stupid, but in regards to Question 4.. How do I know where to apply the -b formula? o.o

You use the -b formula to find the roots of a quadratic equation.
Say you're asked to find the roots of 2x^2+2x-12, for example.
'a' is the coefficient of the x^2 value, in this case 2.
'b' is the coefficient of the x value, in this case 2
'c' is the constant, in this case -12.

so (-b+/-sq(b^2-4ac))/2a becomes

(-2+/- sq(4-(4)(2)(-12)))/4
(-2 +/- 10 )/ 4
= -3 or 2

Is that what you mean? Sometimes there are questions on using just the " b^2-4ac" part, but I think they are only on the honours syllabus.

If you see a question asking you to find the roots of a quadratic equation (one with an x^2 term), then you use the -b formula (unless you find it easier to factorise using another method, but the -b is always reliable.)


edit: feck you, doc_17 :P

edit2: I see on the 2009 paper 4b(i) asks you to show that u=3+5i is a solution of the equation z^2-6z+34=0.
In this you could use the -b formula and find the roots of the quadratic, one of which would be 3+5i, or you could just substitute 3+5i in for z and you get zero as your answer, showing that u is a root. This method is probably easier, and the one the examiners will expect, but it is possible to use the -b formula if you feel more comfortable with that.

edit3: The -b formula appears to come up more often in Q2 than Q4..
In 2010 2c(ii)
2009 2c(ii)
2008 2b(i) c(i)

WhiskeyGoblin

So when i see quadratics pop it in!?

shannon_tek

So can i just conform im not the only one who is absolutely fooked for the LC

Mysteriouschic

Do you need to pass both papers in order to pass?
I hope I get a c3 I'll be lucky it I even get a D my teacher said to get c3.
That if 6 full questions in paper 1 then a a few more in paper 2 that could get you a c3. I've hardly looked at paper 1 though. I've mainly focused on paper 2 .

Ficheall

99% sure it's just the overall percentage they look at. It would be an idea to look at paper 1 because a) it's much easier and b) it's tomorrow...

marko93 wrote: »

So when i see quadratics pop it in!?

Only if it asks you to find the roots or factors or to "solve the equation", in which case it means to find the roots.
if x = a is a root, then (x-a) is a factor. Keep an eye on the terminology, and try to give them the one they're looking for.

Sunny!!

AdamD wrote: »

Not to sound arrogant, but how does one fail ordinary level maths? :eek:

Why come out with a comment like that and make peope feel worse about it

WhiskeyGoblin

Ficheall wrote: »

99% sure it's just the overall percentage they look at. It would be an idea to look at paper 1 because a) it's much easier and b) it's tomorrow...



Only if it asks you to find the roots or factors or to "solve the equation", in which case it means to find the roots.
if x = a is a root, then (x-a) is a factor. Keep an eye on the terminology, and try to give them the one they're looking for.

Oh.. Now i get you

dodgybarnet

Can someone please tell me how in this question you get to the second line

solve for x

5(x + 1)² = 2(x + 1) + 5
5(x² + 2x + 1) = 2x + 2 + 5

wheres the 2x inside the bracket coming from?