Integration by parts

[VCE_2012]

Has there or will there be any questions that are linked to integration by parts, on the VCCA or any past trial papers?
The question may be subtle i.e. part a) b) c)... etc.
I know it is not on the study design, but they are allowed to stretch our knowledge as long as they are conducting it according to the study design.

[pi]

You'll get integration by recognition (ie. where they ask you to integrate something after diffing something they give you first). Integration by parts isn't on the course and isn't needed to get 100% on both exams.

[VCE_2012]

You'll get integration by recognition (ie. where they ask you to integrate something after diffing something they give you first). Integration by parts isn't on the course and isn't needed to get 100% on both exams.

This question is not related to integration by parts. Anyways have you ever seen the 'Weierstrass substitution' or 'the arc length of a curve' being applied in a specialist question before?

[pi]

You'll get integration by recognition (ie. where they ask you to integrate something after diffing something they give you first). Integration by parts isn't on the course and isn't needed to get 100% on both exams.

This question is not related to integration by parts. Anyways have you ever seen the 'Weierstrass substitution' or 'the arc length of a curve' being applied in a specialist question before?

I've seen Weierstrass substitution in my integration SAC and the arc length of a curve was discussed by my teacher. Neither could be on the exam unless VCAA explained the techniques to you first and how to use them (not sure why they'd bother).

[paulsterio]

Has there or will there be any questions that are linked to integration by parts, on the VCCA or any past trial papers?
The question may be subtle i.e. part a) b) c)... etc.
I know it is not on the study design, but they are allowed to stretch our knowledge as long as they are conducting it according to the study design.

Differentiate () and hence, integrate () will be on the exam (possibly).

Integrate () by parts will not be on the exam.

This question is not related to integration by parts. Anyways have you ever seen the 'Weierstrass substitution' or 'the arc length of a curve' being applied in a specialist question before?

Again, you won't have to recognise it, but there's nothing to stop VCAA from giving you a question such as:

The arc length of a curve is given by .

Find the arc length of from x = 1 to x = 2

[#1procrastinator]

I was trying to figure out how to use the formula I got from the product rule today, tried a bunch of a test functions but none of them worked. Couldn't find it in my specialist text...should be in the course in my opinion

[paulsterio]

I was trying to figure out how to use the formula I got from the product rule today, tried a bunch of a test functions but none of them worked. Couldn't find it in my specialist text...should be in the course in my opinion

A lot of things should be on the course to be honest, but it would saturate it, I reckon a reshuffle would be nice, move certain things from Methods down to Further Maths, move some stuff from Spesh down to Methods and increase the difficulty of Spesh - that would probably be what I think is ideal.

[Jenny_2108]

A lot of things should be on the course to be honest, but it would saturate it, I reckon a reshuffle would be nice, move certain things from Methods down to Further Maths, move some stuff from Spesh down to Methods and increase the difficulty of Spesh - that would probably be what I think is ideal.

Really? My teacher said that Spesh we are studying now and the exams are much easier than in the past.
There are lots of difficult stuff eliminated from the course. Eg: deflection of the curve, etc,...

[paulsterio]

Yes, I think there should be a reshuffle of content, purely because there are a few major issues with VCE maths at the moment. I know this is not the point of this thread, but it's an interesting discussion.

First you have Further Mathematics. One of the major problems with Further Maths is that it's just so easy that students who are good at mathematics do it and at the top end, it becomes a competition of not losing marks as opposed to actually knowing more. Apart from that, a lot of Further Maths isn't actually what you would call "real maths" - they're sort of an accumulation of topics from Year 7 - 10 maths which have been progressively dropped over the years.

Methods is probably the ideal mathematics - just because the exams and the content is just right for those who choose to do it - it's what most students who are reasonable at maths would opt for and it's a challenge whilst not as competitive as Further.

Spesh has the same issue as Further. Its cohort is much stronger than Methods but the exams and content don't match that. This means that it becomes really good students struggling not to lose marks on exams again and it basically means that it is impossible to get a 50 without getting 100% on both exams.

[Jenny_2108]

Wow, I just know Further is very competitive but as I know, most of students who are good at Maths will choose Methods/ Spesh rather than Further because Further scores will be scaled down.

Its impossible to get 50 without getting 100% in both Spesh exams? I thought it was for Methods only!?!

[paulsterio]

No, Spesh is far more competitive than methods for the reasons I outlined, much stronger cohort, relatively non-difficult exams.

Methods, you can get a 50 by dropping around 2 marks on the exams if you are lucky, but dropping 1 mark will definately get you a 50.

Not really, there are plenty of students who are good at Maths and decide to do Further purely because they know they can get 48+ in Further.

[Jenny_2108]

No, Spesh is far more competitive than methods for the reasons I outlined, much stronger cohort, relatively non-difficult exams.

I'm scared of Spesh now  "Non-difficult exams"?!? :O I always assume that Spesh exams are the hardest one

[paulsterio]

Spesh is probably one of the most competitive subjects in VCE - not much less competitive than Further.

Well I don't mean to say Spesh exams are easy, but what I mean to say is that they are easier in comparison to the Specialist Maths cohort.

Essentially, to clarify all this, an average Methods student will score worse in an average Methods exam, than an average Spesh student on a Spesh exam. You could also say that the median Spesh exam marks are higher than the median Methods exam marks.