'Stupid' Exam Questions

[speedy]

When you do the modulus of a vector, do you maintain the tilde/arrow? eg. |AB| <- would that have an arrow above it?

[keltingmeith]

how 'dark' must the pencil be? Like are talkign about pressing ridiculously hard or will a soft touch with a HB work? So glad we can use pencil holy crap, I was stressing out that I'd run out of space if I made a mistake

Dark enough that the pencil won't rub off in transit (remember, it will smudge against any papers it travels with)

When you do the modulus of a vector, do you maintain the tilde/arrow? eg. |AB| <- would that have an arrow above it?

To be honest, I don't think it really matters. It's probably more correct to write one, though.

Can we bring in two CASes?

You cannot bring two CAS calculators into your exam, sorry folks. You can take in spare batteries and a scientific calculator along with your one CAS, though.

[swagsxcboi]

would you recommend factorising derivatives for exam 1?

[keltingmeith]

would you recommend factorising derivatives for exam 1?

If it simplifies your work, yes (say y=2x^2+4x=2(x^2+2x)) - if it's you trying to "impress the examiner", no (say dy/dx=sin(x)cos(x)+sin(x)=sin(x)(cos(x)+1))

[Yacoubb]

would you recommend factorising derivatives for exam 1?

Yeah but only if you're sure that you're accurately factorising!! you don't want it to backfire

[swagsxcboi]

If it simplifies your work, yes (say y=2x^2+4x=2(x^2+2x)) - if it's you trying to "impress the examiner", no (say dy/dx=sin(x)cos(x)+sin(x)=sin(x)(cos(x)+1))

how would the latter be considered 'trying to impress the examiner'?
I thought that was a necessary factorisation 

What about if it was 3e^2x sin(x) + 6e^2x cos(x) factorised to 3e^2x (sin(x) + 2 cos(x)) ?

[speedy]

So you know how we have to rename a function when we add transformations, what if we let the function = y?
Do we have to go y₁, y₂... etc. Or just y,y...?

[Yacoubb]

how would the latter be considered 'trying to impress the examiner'?
I thought that was a necessary factorisation 

What about if it was 3e^2x sin(x) + 6e^2x cos(x) factorised to 3e^2x (sin(x) + 2 cos(x)) ?

Yeah that's correct! Is that what you're asking or...?

So you know how we have to rename a function when we add transformations, what if we let the function = y?
Do we have to go y₁, y₂... etc. Or just y,y...?

I usually call it y'. Let y' = transformed function, just to define it.

Just make sure you don't have conflicting function names.

[swagsxcboi]

Yeah that's correct! Is that what you're asking or...?

not whether the factorisation is correct, rather, should I be factorising in that case?

[Yacoubb]

not whether the factorisation is correct, rather, should I be factorising in that case?

I feel that it's necessary in that circumstance.

[keltingmeith]

how would the latter be considered 'trying to impress the examiner'?
I thought that was a necessary factorisation 

What about if it was 3e^2x sin(x) + 6e^2x cos(x) factorised to 3e^2x (sin(x) + 2 cos(x)) ?

Unless you're trying to find the roots of the function, that's not necesarry. If you try to factorise it, you might make a silly mistake in your rush, when the unfactorised answer is still correct. Whether or not you choose to is up to you.

[speedy]

I usually call it y'. Let y' = transformed function, just to define it.

Just make sure you don't have conflicting function names.

Mm, I meant like when you do it in steps (2013 exam 1). But going off what you've said, it would probably be best to go y₁, y₂...

[Orb]

Dark enough that the pencil won't rub off in transit (remember, it will smudge against any papers it travels with)

To be honest, I don't think it really matters. It's probably more correct to write one, though.

You cannot bring two CAS calculators into your exam, sorry folks. You can take in spare batteries and a scientific calculator along with your one CAS, though.

So... I'm currently using a mars micro (staedtler) which uses HB 0.5mm leads..

Does this mean I have to swap to a 2B?

Thanks

[IndefatigableLover]

So... I'm currently using a mars micro (staedtler) which uses HB 0.5mm leads..

Does this mean I have to swap to a 2B?

Thanks

I know this sounds stupid but what you could try is to get an exam you've already done with the pacer and chuck it into your printer and scan it and see what the image turns out to be... if it's still clearly visible then you should be fine otherwise try use 2B lead and see how you go (and press harder when you write as well)! I don't really know how it all works but that test should more than be enough imo..

[Yacoubb]

So... I'm currently using a mars micro (staedtler) which uses HB 0.5mm leads..

Does this mean I have to swap to a 2B?

Thanks

I used a HB pacer in my Further exams last year and it was fine