Read about other useful posts on Binomial Theorems:

• Binomial Expansion Teaches how to choose the RIGHT partner (:

• A-Math Binomial Expansion: Finding Term Independent of x By A Shortcut Method

• Exam Question : Usage of Binomial Formula

I’m looking at the question now. It is testing on the usage of the Binomial formula, including the ‘n choose r’ formula. Many students call this sign: ‘!’ ‘exclamation mark’ which is known correctly as factorial.

I will be using the following question to illustrate how to simplify the ‘n choose r’ formula without memorizing. (I understand some schools want students to memorize)

Let’s begin by understanding what’s ‘n choose r’ all about:

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Do you know how to simplify ‘n choose 3′?

Here’s the question which requires us to apply what we have discussed. I would suggest you attempt it on your own before clicking here for the solution.

binomial-question

DIRECT PROPORTION

A real simple example of Direct Proportion would be the more money I have, the more things I can buy. When amount of money increases, the number things I can buy increase too. (Notice the increase in both things)

Another example, the less I eat, the thinner I become, so as the amount of food eaten decreases, my weight decreases too.

INVERSE PROPORTION

An example of inverse proportion most of you can relate to would be: the more time I spent on Facebook (PSP, WII, Internet), the less time I have on my books!

Allow me to add in another example of Inverse Proportion, the more I spent, the less I have in my bank.

These are some examples (simple) to understand the true meaning of Direct or Inverse proportion.

In the next post, I will be sharing with you how we can translate a statement into an equation involving proportion. I’m also going to highlight the ‘tricky’ proportion question in 2008 GCE O Level Elementary Mathematics Paper 1.

Kinematics is a application topic for Differentiation and Integration. To master this topic, you do not necessarily need to bring in your physics knowledge though it could be useful at times.

Instead, how I get my students to be a master in this topic is to be familiarize with a KINEMATICS VOCABULARY LIST.

Here’s some of the vocabulary words that are useful and common:

• Momentarily at rest, instantaneously at rest, changes direction of motion, stationary
• Initial displacement, initial velocity, initial acceleration
• Greatest displacement, greatest velocity, greatest acceleration
• Distance travelled in the 4th second VS Distance travelled in the first 4 seconds
• Maximum distance from Point O
• Particle returns to Point O
• Constant Velocity

I would say for Kinematics, it is one of the few topics in A-Math which uses extensive vocabulary. This is also the reason for you to decipher the meaning behind these words.

So do you know the meaning behind these words? I would love to hear about it in the comments section.

I have also taken a few questions from my A-Math TREQ book(Topical Real Exam Questions) to illustrate some common exam questions on Kinematics, further highlighting the importance of knowing your Kinematics well. (Click on the image for bigger view)

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I would be sharing the step by step solutions for Question 8 in the next post. Subscribe to my blog to be updated again!