A-Maths Tuition

O level A-Math: Collection of Differentiation Tips

Usually at this period, many Additional Mathematics students would be 'sweating' over the rather foreign topic, Differentiation (part of calculus).

Today I have decided to gather all the tips I have written on Differentiation to be on this post so that they are easily accessible for you. Let's take a look what have been discussed so far:

Differentiation Basic Techniques
Stationary points (Includes a video on the step by step solution)
Differentiation involving exponential

So, how have you found Differentiation so far? Easy? Tough?I would love to hear from you on your learning experience so far.

In my coaching programme, I relate Differentiation to Freezing. Do you know why? Well, there is one common property both shared: Decrease.

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

In the earlier post on free Math Exam Papers, we received very good response. Almost 200 copies were downloaded in less than 7 days. We have a subscriber requesting for step by step solution for the questions though we have provided the answer keys. I am sorry I am unable to provide the step by step solutions due to my busy schedule. However, subscribers can email me their workings I can assist and advice you on the incorrect workings. I hope this would be useful. Moreover, by providing the step by step solution will also not be useful as most students will perhaps take the easy way out to just "read" the solution and think that they understand them. Mastery of Mathematics is not by "reading" but it's the knowing and applying of the strategies.

I have picked up one question on Binomial Expansion (another tricky A-Math topic) for discussion. Specifically on finding Term Independent of x.

Allow me to discuss the common mistake that students make.

Most students will expand the expression term by term

Disadvantages:

Too time consuming
Higher tendency to make careless mistakes!

So the following step by step solution is what I taught my students during my A-Math Ultimate Leap Programme (For Sec 4s who still wish to join, call me @ 9685 7675. For Sec 3s, we are opening up the classes in March 2009! More info will be released in Feb. Keep reading this blog)

Features to take note:

General Term is applied (No memorization is required, just refer to the formula sheet if you aren't sure)
Constant (numbers) & variable (which is x in the question) are separated. (so that we can focus on the important part first)
Power of x is circled (in red) so that you focus all your attention on it. (Reduces careless mistakes too!)
Since this is a 4 marks question, 4 minutes is the working time to complete the solution. (Time management is part of examination techniques)

Skills required:

Understanding of Term Independent of x (i.e it's x to the power of 0 NOT x is zero!)
Usage of Binomial Formula
Basic application of Indice law (Observe that [pmath]{1}/{x^7}[/pmath] is rewritten as [pmath]x^-7[/pmath])

Evaluate the term which is independent of x in the expansion of .

So do you do your working in a similar manner or you have your own style? I would love to hear from you if you know how to do this question initially. If no, which part did you not understand?

A Goodie For You! Monthly Math Exam Papers Questions (With Answer Key Included)

Update (2011): Download of Maths Exam Papers is not available as of now.

Photo Credit:psd

In response to the poll conducted in Dec '08, we have launched our first value add service for 2009 to all your readers.

Free Monthly Math Exam Papers Questions & Answers

For those who want to receive Math Exam Paper Questions sent on a monthly basis, click here.

What you will expect:

4 sets of Math (Either Elementary Math or Additional Math) Exam Papers sent monthly with answer keys. (You can print it out and work on it)
Frequent updates on discussion of Math questions, Math tips & strategies which could be time-saving and reduce careless mistakes.

More consistent practice = more exposure = more marks!

For your information, almost 50 readers have subscribed for the free exam papers in a short 30 minutes.

PS: Did I mention you are getting all these exam papers with hundreds of questions for f*ree? :)

2009 Ultimate Leap Programme : Weekly Ongoing Coaching Classes for 'O' level A-Math

See Results EVERY Lesson!

Thank for being my reader and for always reading my blog post.

It means a lot to me and I hope I have been useful in one way or

another towards the mastery of your Math.

As we move towards 2009, I look forward in providing more

value to you.

For Singapore students, here's a surprise for you:

I will be personally coaching a group of students

(Sec 3 & 4 students) to help them achieve the results they

truly deserve for 2009.

But there's a problem...

My training room cannot sit many,so I can take in only

a handful and out of these, some seats have already

been taken up by my workshop participants.

So, if you are really committed to achieve your 'O'

level A-Math distinctions, read about how you can

get what you want HERE

Cheers,

Ai Ling

Master Trainer

PS: For those who have missed out the
A-Math workshop last week, check out
the snapshots and read about students' experience here.

O level A-Math Essential Concepts Workshop Student's Feedback [Including Parent's Comment]

Dear Ms. Ling,
Thank you so much for the photos and looking forward to the work she has done for the past 4 days.
I'm very contented that she has learnt alot from this workshop and my money is worth it. Appreciate you help in motivating and making A-Maths a joyful and interesting workshop for my kid.
Tks, Shoba (Parent of Devyaah)

“I have benefitted a lot from this workshop. Ai Ling has put across alot of different and creative ways to make us understand the complex concepts in A-Maths and make it easier to remember the various formulas. I haven't been getting good results in my school exams but through this workshop, I had learnt the common mistakes I always make and had understood the concepts better. I will really recommend the workshop to my classmates as I think it has been really beneficial for me. Thank You (=”

Nurul Arinie, Regent Sec Sch

“Very good, I understand the concepts better and know how to apply the formulae. I have improved and am happy about it. This programme focuses on the key concepts.”
Bryanesh Balu, Yuan Ching Sec Sch

“I like this workshop very much, I really learnt alot!! I like the way you teach I can understand easily, the story makes us remember the most and all the different types of methods you used to teach us I love them. I will remember it forever. The music make me feel like the environment is good for learning and it prevented me from getting too stressed up. I like the way you help me to recap yesterday's things and your method of teaching us is so special. Thank you!!"

Jonas Tan, Regent Sec Sch

“I came into this course thinking that I wouldn't learn much but I was wrong. I've learnt alot more than I imagined I could in four days. I would definitely recommend this to others. I have learnt a great deal and it definitely has helped me a lot. I've not been for other programmes so I wouldn't know how to compare but this definitely is one to remember. Thank you for the assistance you have given me for the past 4 days. I'll continue to look at A-Math in a new perspective. Thank you for your 100% attention towards us to improve our A-Math”

Devyaah, Whitley Sec Sch

Photos of workshop here

O level A-Math: Fatal Mistake In Logarithm Equation You Must Aviod

This is a common mistake I notice in my O level A-Math essential concepts revision workshop.

Solve the following equation:

First, you must identify the type of question since different types of question require different strategies.
It's a different log-log question.
Strategy required: Change base.

Change base formula used.
Reason for changing to base 2: Between changing to base 2 or x, we choose base 2 as x is an unknown, we choose not to work with THE unknown most of the time, don't we?