Tag Archive: differentiation

A-Math: Differentiation Shortcut Lies In Pausing & Simplifying

Differentiation is a big thing in fact major chapter for all Secondary 4 ‘O’ level students.

Read all about the basics Differentiation techniques here. (Examples included) I would like to share one question from my A-Math Ultimate Leap Programme (weekly coaching class) which has 2 different approaches to solve it.

Example:

differentiation-qn

Very often, I notice students will jump into Quotient rule whenever a fraction is given. Just like this student here:

differentiation-qn-quotient-rule

May I suggest that you pause for 3 seconds to think about the approach. Ask yourself ‘Is there anything I can simplify?’

Here’s another student who pauses:

differentiation-qn-simplified

Notice this student spends his time simplifying before applying chain rule in differentiation.

I hope you enjoy this example. Both students are correct in their answers, which one do you prefer more? A or B?

Related Posts:

Protected: Differentiation & Integration Solutions (For workshop participants only)

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:


Related Posts:

Differentiation & Integration Mastery Workshop (Includes Kinematics too!)

Update: Click here for early bird registration.

Dear Students,

Do you know that Differentiation & Integration are 2 very important sections for O Level A-Math? Based on 2008 GCE O Level Additional Mathematics Papers, the weightage of Differentiation & Integration is almost 30%!

We received feedback from students and parents that due to time constraint, many schools rush through these 2 very important topics, leaving many students totally lost in their understanding. This coupled with the fact that Differentiation & Integration are totally new concepts for all A-Math students, made matter worst.
So with less than 7 weeks to GCE O Levels are you equipped with the tools and strategies to score in Differentiation & Integration or are you facing problems in understanding the concepts?

4 Days Differentiation & Integration Mastery Workshop

5, 12, 19, 26 Sep 2009, 2 – 6pm, YMCA Orchard (Tentative venue)


(Click on image for clearer view)

In this workshop, you will learn:

  • Comprehensive 100% coverage of Differentiation & Integration
  • Understand abstract concepts in an easy to relate manner
  • Learn and Apply strategies (‘approved’ short-cuts) on real examination questions
  • Time management enforced during every workshop
  • Pre & Post review assessment for checking level of understanding

Scope of the workshop:
Skills In Differentiation:

  • Basic Techniques of Differentiation
  • Differentiation involving trigonometrical functions
  • Differentiation involving exponential & ln functions

Applications In Differentiation:

  • Equations of Tangent & Normal
  • Connected Rate of Changes
  • Increasing & Decreasing Functions
  • Maxima & Minima Problems

Skills In Integration:

  • Basic Techniques of Integration
  • Integration involving trigonometrical functions
  • Integration involving exponential & ln functions

Applications In Integration:

  • Hence question (reversed differentiation)
  • Equation of curve
  • Area under the curve
  • Kinematics

Registration will open on 21st Aug 2009.(Update: Click here for early bird registration.)
This is the last workshop for O level students.

(Click on image for clearer view)

Related Posts: