O-Level Additional Math

[kennethTutor]

Need help with this question

For part a, consider cos 3θ = cos (2θ + θ). After which, we can apply Compound Angle/Addition Formula to prove.

Solution: http://imgur.com/FBcE1gQ


For part b, we can use the result of part a to help us. Simplify both sides such that we can factorise and solve the equation like we normally do.

Solution: http://imgur.com/lxC3ZQ9

[happyheart]

A quick question. Is it an appropriate time to start on ten years series at sec3? My DS is struggling with A maths as the teacher ask the class to do questions from the series.

[kennethTutor]

A quick question. Is it an appropriate time to start on ten years series at sec3? My DS is struggling with A maths as the teacher ask the class to do questions from the series.

Questions from Ten Year Series (TYS) are from past year O Level papers and they typically cover a range of difficulties. Some questions can be straightforward while others can be challenging.

Personally I think it is an appropriate time, as it exposes the students to the 'O Level type' of questions right from the get-go. I know of a few schools that gives questions from TYS as homework, starting from Sec 3.

Also, I have encountered students who don't use their TYS until mid/late Sec 4. So I guess your child's teacher wants to get them started early.


If your child is struggling, I suggest he should review some examples and questions from the textbook. Depending on the textbook used (probably A Maths 360 or Shinglee), there may be some practice questions for him to attempt.

Start with the 'Basic' or easier questions to test his understanding in the topic. After that, he can attempt the questions he is having problems with in the TYS.

[Future Academy]

A quick question. Is it an appropriate time to start on ten years series at sec3? My DS is struggling with A maths as the teacher ask the class to do questions from the series.

Students from O level schools sit for O level at the end of Sec 4.
I believe doing TYS questions is very helpful to students who are preparing for O levels at sec 4. At the beginning of Sec 3, it is too early to let students do TYS questions. The questions are difficult compared to lower sec math questions that students have gotten used to. Furthermore, some questions require knowledge and skills that learned in later topics that a sec 3 student has not learned yet.

If the teacher assign the students 'basic' questions, it is alright. If the teacher assign difficult questions, it is "unfair" to the students then.

If your child really struggles, see if he can get help from school teacher or tutor.

[floppy]

A quick question. Is it an appropriate time to start on ten years series at sec3? My DS is struggling with A maths as the teacher ask the class to do questions from the series.

Students from O level schools sit for O level at the end of Sec 4.
I believe doing TYS questions is very helpful to students who are preparing for O levels at sec 4. At the beginning of Sec 3, it is too early to let students do TYS questions. The questions are difficult compared to lower sec math questions that students have gotten used to. Furthermore, some questions require knowledge and skills that learned in later topics that a sec 3 student has not learned yet.

If the teacher assign the students 'basic' questions, it is alright. If the teacher assign difficult questions, it is "unfair" to the students then.

If your child really struggles, see if he can get help from school teacher or tutor.

If the intention of the TYS is to start from cover to end, sec 3 is obviously too early. However, if the intention is to practice questions from the TYS related to the topics learned, it's ok to start from sec 3 or as soon as the topic is over.

During my times (a long, long time ago), we practice questions from the TYS regularly, almost immediately from sec 3. Teachers will often lift questions from TYS for us to practice on. For questions that require knowledge or skills from later topics (found often in 2-part questions), it should be skipped and attempted in the future (which will also help to revise the earlier knowledge).

[happyheart]

Thank you all for your kind response. I have lost touched with A maths for many years now, hence cannot really gauge the difficulty level at this point. look like have to seek input from teachers directly to check if questions given are of right standard for sec 3 beginning.

[Suz855]

Hi, need help with the following

Show that the roots of the equation x^2 + (3k + 5)x = 3 are real for all real values of k.

thanks

[iwork]

Hi, need help with the following

Show that the roots of the equation x^2 + (3k + 5)x = 3 are real for all real values of k.

thanks

You need to prove the Discriminant is greater or equal to ZERO.

Find the discriminant in turn of k. Then complete the square, to show that it will always be positive.

[KSP2013777]

Please help me with this question


Thank you

[kennethTutor]

Please help me with this question


Thank you

Hello again. We can use Factor Formula on the Left Hand Side of the identity. Let me know if Factor Formula is not taught in your school.

Full Solution: http://imgur.com/jRtyyO8