Post by: prishabal on October 31, 2014, 06:48:30 pm
Post by: Valyria on October 31, 2014, 06:54:45 pm
Predictions; excluding the normal jazz of a few calculus questions, pr distribution table, I reckon the hardest question will be related to the use of similar triangles that is needed to find the maximum surface area of a cone/cylinder (something similar to the last question from '10).
Post by: BLACKCATT on October 31, 2014, 06:58:04 pm
Post by: prishabal on October 31, 2014, 07:07:50 pm
Post by: keltingmeith on October 31, 2014, 07:24:19 pm
Going through last year's report, I reckon you guys need to watch out for:
- Transformations - second year in a row they commented on how people neglected to rename the transformed function.
- Integration and applications - so poorly done overall on last year's exam, something will come back.
Post by: GeniDoi on October 31, 2014, 09:34:51 pm
You can thank me later when you get full 3 (or 4) marks for that question because you decided to revise first principles and took note of the fact that you need to put lim h->0 for every line of working :)
Otherwise, 5 questions on CAS active should be interesting, expect shorter questions with less depth (which is good for people who make silly carrying errors between parts of questions). Also great for people who easily get distracted from the annoyance that is page flicking, which will be lowered because of the shorter questions.
A full 3 or 4 mark matrix transformations question hasn't come up in years and is almost certainty on the horizon.
Post by: prishabal on October 31, 2014, 09:38:40 pm
Post by: keltingmeith on October 31, 2014, 09:44:42 pm
You can thank me later when you get full 3 (or 4) marks for that question because you decided to revise first principles and took note of the fact that you need to put lim h->0 for every line of working :)
Actually, if you're clever about how you answer the question, you can get away with not writing the limit for every line. ;)
Post by: BLACKCATT on October 31, 2014, 09:49:10 pm
Post by: GeniDoi on October 31, 2014, 09:49:19 pm
Actually, if you're clever about how you answer the question, you can get away with not writing the limit for every line. ;)
Do share :)
Post by: GeniDoi on October 31, 2014, 09:53:27 pm
oh shit this is on the course? We didn't touch anything on first principles the whole year o_o
Its assumed knowledge from 1/2 and is in the same category of "examinable" as something like mutual exclusivity.
Post by: keltingmeith on October 31, 2014, 09:54:16 pm
Let's say they have "find the derivative of f(x)=x^2 + 2x - 3 using first principles", here's what you do:
Write the initial statement,
Then, draw a line to the right, and then write:
Then, you evaluate this. After this is evaluated, then you write:
Post by: BLACKCATT on October 31, 2014, 09:57:38 pm
Post by: keltingmeith on October 31, 2014, 09:59:02 pm
Really? i haven't come across any first principles questions on the exams i've done.
They don't explicitly say it's first principles, generally they just set up the limit for you and just ask you to evaluate.
Post by: GeniDoi on October 31, 2014, 10:02:49 pm
They don't explicitly say it's first principles, generally they just set up the limit for you and just ask you to evaluate.
None thus far (even before 2006) have had any first principles questions. Its not really possible to examine it in MC since all the marks stem from doing the algebra by hand.
Since its in the same level as 1/2 probability, there is no reason why they can't pull it out now.
Post by: speedy on October 31, 2014, 10:09:10 pm
Sorry BlackCatt - it's on the exam EVERY year. Normally it's on multi-choice, though, if you want to risk it - but you still got plenty of time until exam 1, so.
Let's say they have "find the derivative of f(x)=x^2 + 2x - 3 using first principles", here's what you do:
Write the initial statement,
Then, draw a line to the right, and then write:
Then, you evaluate this. After this is evaluated, then you write:
Is this what you mean?
Spoiler
(http://i.imgur.com/LiqW6nS.png)
Post by: keltingmeith on October 31, 2014, 10:13:10 pm
None thus far (even before 2006) have had any first principles questions. Its not really possible to examine it in MC since all the marks stem from doing the algebra by hand.
Since its in the same level as 1/2 probability, there is no reason why they can't pull it out now.
This is awkward... I swear I've seen them before, and now I can't find them. :| I must be going mad...
And that's the way, speedy! Just split up the evaluation of the fraction from the limit, then take it back to the limit. ;)
Post by: speedy on October 31, 2014, 10:16:22 pm
This is awkward... I swear I've seen them before, and now I can't find them. :| I must be going mad...
And that's the way, speedy! Just split up the evaluation of the fraction from the limit, then take it back to the limit. ;)
Maybe you were thinking of linear approximation?
Post by: keltingmeith on October 31, 2014, 10:18:59 pm
Post by: BLACKCATT on October 31, 2014, 10:20:42 pm
Post by: keltingmeith on October 31, 2014, 10:21:37 pm
Post by: Valyria on November 01, 2014, 12:36:40 am
Post by: cwiddicombe on November 01, 2014, 08:05:15 am
Post by: Yacoubb on November 01, 2014, 08:07:26 am
I reckon linear approximation will be on the exam.
Yeah me too. It hasn't been asked in a while, and perhaps VCAA will also add an "explain why the calculated value is greater than the exact value", where you'd have to talk about how we use the y-value of the tangent which is greater than y-value of the original graph at that x-value, leading to an overestimation, etc. 2009 VCAA exam 1 had this iirc.
Post by: vcestudent123 on November 01, 2014, 08:18:08 am
Post by: Yacoubb on November 01, 2014, 08:23:50 am
Probably a transformation question because they seem to be always done poorly or.. they may save that for the 2015 Exam..
Last year's VCAA exam 1 had a transformation question didn't it?
But yeah I'm going to read through the assessment reports and see which bits students struggled with last year, because they're likely to assess those in the upcoming exams.
Post by: vididid on November 01, 2014, 08:31:03 am
Post by: Yacoubb on November 01, 2014, 08:35:40 am
with the linear approximation questions and the over stated thing.. what exactly should you be writing to get full marks?
It's usually actually only a one mark question. I always state the equation:
f(x+h) = f(x) + hf'(x). The equation indicates that the value of the tangent at x (state the x-value) is used. Since the value of f'(x) at x is greater than the value of f(x) at the same x-value, the approximated value of f(x+h) is greater than the exact value.
If you check up the assessor's report for 2009 I'm pretty sure they've got an answer. But in my opinion, that would suffice ^.
Oh - still examinable, just not in past years like I thought. :P (unless I somehow find them...)
So first principles could be assessed? I know it, it's just such a pain in the ass! -.-
Post by: vididid on November 01, 2014, 08:43:36 am
did they do a 'hence differentiate' question last year?
Post by: vcestudent123 on November 01, 2014, 08:48:42 am
Last year's VCAA exam 1 had a transformation question didn't it?Yeah, you're right. It will probably end up in the 2015 exam
But yeah I'm going to read through the assessment reports and see which bits students struggled with last year, because they're likely to assess those in the upcoming exams.
I should probably check out Exam1 2012 + 2011 and see what they could add on for this year's Exam 1 and 2.
Post by: Yacoubb on November 01, 2014, 08:50:41 am
I'm praying that exam 1 is pretty standard, and that exam 2 is tricky (but not as mundane as exam 2 last year).
Post by: Brulezz on November 01, 2014, 09:19:10 am
Post by: Avainer on November 01, 2014, 11:53:39 am
Good luck!
Post by: Yacoubb on November 01, 2014, 12:11:07 pm
Revise the last page of 2013 exam 2 and the page before that, esp the part about equating the gradients. That was not done too well, so they'll throw it on imo in exam 1 or 2
Good luck!
Yeah I plan on having that in my bound reference for exam 2. Do you think they could ask that for exam 1?
Post by: GeniDoi on November 01, 2014, 12:23:12 pm
Yeah I plan on having that in my bound reference for exam 2. Do you think they could ask that for exam 1?
Its very possible, since it wasn't too difficult to get the gradient in terms of k using hand-algebra. EDIT: I don't mean the question was easy, I mean the algebraic manipulation wasn't particularly challenging after you equated the gradients, which was the hardest part of the question to do.
Having said that, they would definitely lead you on more (ie, find the derivative of the 1st curve, find the gradient of the line in terms of ___, hence find the gradient in terms of k) OR it would be a show-that question, since the questions following that one were far easier to do if you had the answer and unnecessarily cut of students who were capable of evaluating them who couldn't find the gradient.
Post by: Yacoubb on November 01, 2014, 12:30:10 pm
Its very possible, since it wasn't too difficult to get the gradient in terms of k using hand-algebra. EDIT: I don't mean the question was easy, I mean the algebraic manipulation wasn't particularly challenging after you equated the gradients, which was the hardest part of the question to do.
Having said that, they would definitely lead you on more (ie, find the derivative of the 1st curve, find the gradient of the line in terms of ___, hence find the gradient in terms of k) OR it would be a show-that question, since the questions following that one were far easier to do if you had the answer and unnecessarily cut of students who were capable of evaluating them who couldn't find the gradient.
Yeah I see what you mean :) thanks for that!
Post by: kevleee on November 01, 2014, 12:39:04 pm
Any other predictions guys?
did they do a 'hence differentiate' question last year?
My tip is that there will be a differentiation by recognition question in Exam 1.
Post by: ~V on November 01, 2014, 12:42:00 pm
Its very possible, since it wasn't too difficult to get the gradient in terms of k using hand-algebra. EDIT: I don't mean the question was easy, I mean the algebraic manipulation wasn't particularly challenging after you equated the gradients, which was the hardest part of the question to do.Omg I love your signature :)
Having said that, they would definitely lead you on more (ie, find the derivative of the 1st curve, find the gradient of the line in terms of ___, hence find the gradient in terms of k) OR it would be a show-that question, since the questions following that one were far easier to do if you had the answer and unnecessarily cut of students who were capable of evaluating them who couldn't find the gradient.
Post by: Teagan_18 on November 01, 2014, 03:18:45 pm
Post by: Yacoubb on November 01, 2014, 03:20:33 pm
Will anyone be doing suggested answers after the exams (for our benefit only) like they do for biology?
Probably. But I'm not going to check my answers. It would destroy me to know that I lost marks, and I'm not going to let that be a factor that will impinge on my remaining subjects. I'm going to just do it, and move on. It's the healthiest choice in my honest opinion. :)
Post by: keltingmeith on November 01, 2014, 04:25:26 pm
Post by: ~V on November 01, 2014, 06:28:24 pm
Post by: keltingmeith on November 01, 2014, 06:31:00 pm
I'm predicting that Yvette will make an appearance once again :P
Get out of the way, Tasmania Jones - now there's an even MORE hated person in town!
Post by: Yacoubb on November 01, 2014, 06:33:39 pm
I'm predicting that Yvette will make an appearance once again :P
It'll be Yvette on the absolute killer question. Yvette may need to go into hiding if this happens LOL!
Post by: IndefatigableLover on November 01, 2014, 06:39:19 pm
Post by: keltingmeith on November 01, 2014, 06:42:54 pm
I'm thinking they'll chuck in a question that will test people on what a modulus does to a graph (or the definition of it in someway) but not over the entire function like say:(pretty simple I know but I think it'll crop up this year)..
Fun fact: if f(x)=4x^2 - 6x, then f(|x|)=4x^2 - 6|x|, so you can employ the same techniques for graphing it.
Post by: EspoirTron on November 01, 2014, 07:59:57 pm
- Test the basics since after last year most students will be practising the real hard stuff and may just forget their simple algebra and calculus skills. A lot of people have struggled with this in the past as mentioned throughout several examiner's reports.
- Put in some difficult algebraic manipulation questions.
Post by: devilsadvocate on November 01, 2014, 11:29:07 pm
Post by: keltingmeith on November 01, 2014, 11:35:33 pm
Very, very high chance that students will have to sketch graphs this year, as there were no graphing questions on last year's end-of-year exams (both 1 and 2).
Using that logic, expect LOTS of normal distribution questions on this year's exam.
Post by: GeniDoi on November 01, 2014, 11:49:29 pm
Using that logic, expect LOTS of normal distribution questions on this year's exam.
Honestly, I'm starting to think this whole "if theres less of topic x on an exam one year there will be more of topic x on the next year" is BS. There's very little to no correlation between any two successive VCAA exams (if you discount the things that examiners are "picky about", such as dx's at the end of integrals and the usual mark losers). If VCAA had any intent on doing so they would create a flawed system and people would catch on quickly "oooh I'm going to study normal dist/graphing so much but lets skip non-routine calculus because that was on 2013 exam 2". As far as we are concerned, there's a bank of questions that VCAA make that is randomly pulled, polished to make the exam flow well and sent off. The last thing they want is giving an advantage to observant students.
TLDR: Assume everything from Methods 1/2/3/4 is on the exam :)
Post by: Blondie21 on November 02, 2014, 12:03:04 am
TLDR: Assume everything from Methods 1/2/3/4 is on the exam :)
Hmm I think you're missing something
Post by: keltingmeith on November 02, 2014, 12:09:16 am
Honestly, I'm starting to think this whole "if theres less of topic x on an exam one year there will be more of topic x on the next year" is BS.
This is actually the point I wanted to make, hahah. I learned this the hard way, unfortunately...
Post by: momo123 on November 02, 2014, 03:33:43 pm
Post by: Yacoubb on November 02, 2014, 04:52:53 pm
is it possible to get consequential marks in exam 2? i know last year there were a few questions where you needed the previous answer, but it doesn't say in the report...
I'm pretty sure they normally do, but apparently, on that gradient question on last year's exam, no marks were awarded for consequential errors.
Post by: devilsadvocate on November 02, 2014, 05:09:31 pm
Honestly, I'm starting to think this whole "if theres less of topic x on an exam one year there will be more of topic x on the next year" is BS.
Obviously students would need a thorough understanding of the entire course content and not just focus on one particular topic. The real problem is when they have this blind conviction that the topics on the exam will be the ones they've studied for, which I'm hoping nobody will do. But provided that they've done enough revision, it doesn't hurt to spend some time thinking about which topics they're more likely to face on the actual day, since that may calm their nerves a little and leave them feeling more confident.
Post by: Orb on November 03, 2014, 06:01:45 pm
Hence, i'd predict that it would be comparative to last year's in terms of difficulty :P
Post by: momo123 on November 04, 2014, 08:43:34 am
Post by: Robert123 on November 04, 2014, 11:02:53 am
Post by: Yacoubb on November 04, 2014, 12:07:30 pm
My prediction is that for exam 2, they will try and freak everybody else by having C as the answer for all the Multiple Choice :P
That would be the ultimate mind-eff!
& guys, I have a feeling they'll put in addition of ordinates. They haven't really done it before & I reckon they'll throw it in. Or a tan graph :)
Post by: momo123 on November 04, 2014, 12:48:27 pm
That would be the ultimate mind-eff!
& guys, I have a feeling they'll put in addition of ordinates. They haven't really done it before & I reckon they'll throw it in. Or a tan graph :)
Agreed- tan graph would throw a lot off
Post by: Yacoubb on November 04, 2014, 01:08:02 pm
Agreed- tan graph would throw a lot off
Especially since it's really uncommon!! So better prepare for it, haha!!
Post by: IndefatigableLover on November 04, 2014, 01:17:44 pm
Especially since it's really uncommon!! So better prepare for it, haha!!Haha do you mean something like VCAA 2009 Exam 1, Question 4 or VCAA 2008 Exam 2, Question 4?
Looking at the examiner's report, it doesn't look like a question that will completely catch people off guard (about a third are getting full marks for the Exam 2 one or around 50% for at least one mark per question in Exam 2) so it's not really a 'killer' type of question you'd expect but definitely possible that it'll come up no doubt!
Post by: Yacoubb on November 04, 2014, 01:25:50 pm
Haha do you mean something like VCAA 2009 Exam 1, Question 4 or VCAA 2008 Exam 2, Question 4?
Looking at the examiner's report, it doesn't look like a question that will completely catch people off guard (about a third are getting full marks for the Exam 2 one or around 50% for at least one mark per question in Exam 2) so it's not really a 'killer' type of question you'd expect but definitely possible that it'll come up no doubt!
Best be prepared for anything :)
& I don't mean solving for x. I mean actually sketching tan graphs.
Post by: IndefatigableLover on November 04, 2014, 01:30:24 pm
Best be prepared for anything :)Ah yeah that makes much more sense LOL (that would knock quite a few people off actually)..
& I don't mean solving for x. I mean actually sketching tan graphs.
Post by: Yacoubb on November 04, 2014, 01:33:37 pm
Ah yeah that makes much more sense LOL (that would knock quite a few people off actually)..
Yeah, it's SO uncommon, and a lot of people don't really think about practicing for it. It's definitely something to be wary of.
Post by: Sayf44 on November 04, 2014, 03:03:35 pm
Post by: speedy on November 04, 2014, 03:04:21 pm
The way I tackle sketching circular functions is finding all x intercepts, asymptotes, turning points etc. For a tan graph, finding when cos=0 will give asymptotes right?
Yup (take into account transformations though :) )
Post by: QTPi on November 04, 2014, 06:22:05 pm
Thanks in advance :)
Post by: Yacoubb on November 04, 2014, 08:24:45 pm
The way I tackle sketching circular functions is finding all x intercepts, asymptotes, turning points etc. For a tan graph, finding when cos=0 will give asymptotes right?
I wouldn't personally state the turning points unless asked to :) & as aforementioned, account for transformations.
Post by: Sayf44 on November 04, 2014, 08:27:09 pm
Post by: keltingmeith on November 04, 2014, 08:27:26 pm
I wouldn't personally state the turning points unless asked to :) & as aforementioned, account for transformations.
Turning points are important points and must be stated in any graph of a function.
Post by: Yacoubb on November 04, 2014, 08:29:56 pm
Turning points are important points and must be stated in any graph of a function.
What? I've never come across a question that by default needs that, and if needed, will mention, label TPs and x- and y-intercepts... oh well, I'll start putting them in from now on in.
Post by: GeniDoi on November 04, 2014, 08:44:03 pm
Post by: keltingmeith on November 04, 2014, 08:55:28 pm
What? I've never come across a question that by default needs that, and if needed, will mention, label TPs and x- and y-intercepts... oh well, I'll start putting them in from now on in.
For weird graphs (like cubics/quartics), probably just do the stationary points last just in case (also because they take a while). However, that's what I was ALWAYS told by my methods teacher (I heard it once a week)
Post by: ChazRose on November 05, 2014, 04:55:44 pm
Post by: Kaleidoscope on November 05, 2014, 06:07:19 pm
Any specific predictions for tomorrow afternoon?
I reckon there might be integration by recognition and linear approximation. Just my gut feeling. :)
Post by: RKTR on November 05, 2014, 06:34:34 pm
Any specific predictions for tomorrow afternoon?
Transformations
Post by: NyaTaku on November 05, 2014, 09:29:23 pm
Transformations
Going to second this. Lack of transformations on Exam 1 is ominous..