VCE Methods Question Thread!

[Lear]

For y=(x^3)(x-3) I believe the easiest way would be to differentiate it and solve dy/dx=0 for x, check whether solutions are Max or min and then sub in x to find y coord of TP.

For the second question, you’re right (0,-42) must be accounted for when finding the rule of a function.
Try it yourself first
If the general form is f(x)=y=a(x-b)(x-c)(x-d)
Sub in (0,-42) I.e f(0)=-42 and find what a would be.

[Mattjbr2]

Also, do you know how to find the turning point of the graph y = (x^3)(x-3)
If a cubic functin has x intercepts at -3,-2, and 7, and a point at (0,-42). My textbook solutions said that the rule of the function is y = (x-7)(x+3)(x+2), but don't you need to take into account the point (0,-42) when working out the rule of the function?
Thanks
If possible, could you please explain how to do these questions aswell?

[Lear]

You’ve been giving some great information Mattjbr2! Solid effort, keep it up.

Anyway, in terms of working out and examiners, can we assume they know the upside down triangular dot ‘therefore’ sign means ‘because’?

[snowisawesome]

Do you know how to tell the difference between stationary point of inflection and a local minimum/local maximum?
Thanks for all the help so far guys

[Mattjbr2]

Do you know how to tell the difference between stationary point of inflection and a local minimum/local maximum?
Thanks for all the help so far guys

Use the 2nd derivative if you arent required to show working, or the LHS/RHS gradient test if you are, or draw the graph (you should know how to draw every type of graph effortlessly).

[snowisawesome]

Hi guys,
Are there any general tips on how to improve in methods, and extended response questions in particular, because alot of the time, when i see a question and try to attempt it,i have absolutely no idea what it's asking me to do?
I'm sort of lost right now

[Lear]

At this point in the year not being able to do extended response questions isn’t a big deal. Usually these type of questions require a deep understanding of basic maths fundamentals (Pythagoras. Similarity, circle theorems etc). I believe that only with a deep under will a person be able to apply them in general questions.

Like I said now isn’t the time to worry, however, if you have a solutions manual to those questions, it would be wise to start making a compilation of extended response questions you did not find doable and write the solution from the manual in your own words. This way, any time you see an extended response question you can look through this compilation and get some ideas on how to approach it. Eventually the idea is to familiarise yourself with enough approaches to be able to apply them to new questions.

I hope it helps. Don’t stress if they seem impossible now.

[snowisawesome]

At this point in the year not being able to do extended response questions isn’t a big deal. Usually these type of questions require a deep understanding of basic maths fundamentals (Pythagoras. Similarity, circle theorems etc). I believe that only with a deep under will a person be able to apply them in general questions.

Like I said now isn’t the time to worry, however, if you have a solutions manual to those questions, it would be wise to start making a compilation of extended response questions you did not find doable and write the solution from the manual in your own words. This way, any time you see an extended response question you can look through this compilation and get some ideas on how to approach it. Eventually the idea is to familiarise yourself with enough approaches to be able to apply them to new questions.

I hope it helps. Don’t stress if they seem impossible now.

Thanks
Do you know out of mathsquest and cambridge which one is the better book in terms of questions, since my tutor uses the cambridge textbook, so I can't get worked solutions for it, but my school uses mathsquest, and I have access to worked solutions for it. I'm hoping that with enough hardwork and perseverance i can still get a 35 raw in methods

[Lear]

My school unfortunately uses maths quest too. I find that Cambridge has better questions to be honest.

[TheAspiringDoc]

Sorry if this has just been asked already. Out of the cambridge textbook, if only to do one section (e.g. Chapter review, revision chapter or the extended main questions section) which would be best to do? Which most closely resembles VCAA?

[snowisawesome]

Sorry if this has just been asked already. Out of the cambridge textbook, if only to do one section (e.g. Chapter review, revision chapter or the extended main questions section) which would be best to do? Which most closely resembles VCAA?

Chapter review questions are sort of similar to the vcaa exam questions

[VinnyD]

In saying that, the textbook question's aren't the best for mimicking an exam. The chapter review worked well for SAC prep but it was way better to seek out harder questions from teachers. If you're not too fussed about saving exams till the end of the year, checkpoints are great.

[snowisawesome]

In saying that, the textbook question's aren't the best for mimicking an exam. The chapter review worked well for SAC prep but it was way better to seek out harder questions from teachers. If you're not too fussed about saving exams till the end of the year, checkpoints are great.

How much harder are exam questions than chapter review questions?

[VinnyD]

How much harder are exam questions than chapter review questions?

The chapter review questions usually are way off/easier to what the exam's are like. I think the multiple choice questions are okay but definitely easier than the exam questions. IMO the textbook should be used to consolidate knowledge instead of preparing for exams/sacs.  Exams focus on how well you can apply that knowledge so i'd recommend either doing checkpoints or other practice exam's (your teacher should have plenty), when it comes around to it.

[snowisawesome]

The chapter review questions usually are way off/easier to what the exam's are like. I think the multiple choice questions are okay but definitely easier than the exam questions. IMO the textbook should be used to consolidate knowledge instead of preparing for exams/sacs.  Exams focus on how well you can apply that knowledge so i'd recommend either doing checkpoints or other practice exam's (your teacher should have plenty), when it comes around to it.

Am I correct in thinking that checkpoints is basically a collection of past vcaa exams, so doing it before starting vcaa practice exams would "spoil" them?