SPM Mathematics Tips

Brief Introduction Mathematics (is also known as Modern Maths) and Additional Mathematics are categorized as thinking subjects which you take your time thinking rather than memorizing facts. The formula will be given at the front page of the examination paper. Additional Maths is notably 4 times harder than Modern Maths. If you get 90% marks in Maths, you may have potential to get 40% marks in Add Maths. SPM Mathematics In SPM, mathematics is considered as compulsory subject. You must pass this subject in order to get the certificates along with Malay language. Malay language test takes a lot of time and your hand hurts like hell after writing so many words. Its not simple either. However, the percentage of students fail in Mathematics is higher than Malay Language in real SPM, which is ridiculous Mathematics is the easiest subject in SPM for Science students. I believe PMR students can even do with their PMR standard knowledge because some questions like volume of solid and area and perimeter of a circle being test in SPM. Its not being taught in SPM therefore you can only depend on your past knowledge in Form 2. Although the questions are a lot easier than Add Maths, There are still some pupils having difficulties in Maths. I see some students leave the 'haven't done' answers after they get the formulae to be applied in the questions, which they didnt really answer the questions. Some of them dont understand the questions needs. Therefore, exercises and guidance from teachers are essential for improvement.

The questions are so direct and mostly the answers will less likely to appear in decimal. You need a little bit of logic compare to Add maths. Besides that, even if you do well in monthly test, you might end up tilting head during SPM examination hall. Its because monthly tests dont follow the real format of SPM. Like Intervention 1 for KL state this year, there's no chance in hell this question is coming out in real SPM.

Based on SPM Maths, it consists of 2 papers Paper 1 - 1 hors - 40 questions - 40 marks Paper 2 - 2 hours - working steps must be done - Section A = 52 marks = 11 questions - Section B = 48 marks = 5 questions (answer 4 out of 5) Every chapter will be tested in Paper 1. The questions will be tested from Form 1 until Form 5. Since you have already mastered the some basics in PMR, these shouldnt be a problem. Do past year objective questions will strengthen your basic. In paper 2, there are only certain chapters that will be tested in SPM maths. Thats why I will concentrate more on paper 2. The whole paper 2 format based on past year questions in random order with brief tips below Confirmed to be tested every year Paper 2 (Section A) 1) Volume of solids (which was taught in form 2) - most of the formulae given are for this question - make sure the formulae are used correctly - combined solid is sum of volume of the solids - remaining solid is the subtraction of bigger solid and smaller solid 2) Angles of elevation and depression -using trigonometry rule 3) Mathematical reasoning - statement and and or - If p, then q. If q, then p. - Argument : - premise 1: if Q then R Premise 2: Q Conclusion: R - Induction / deduction conclusion 4) Simultaneous linear equation - equalize the same unknown and take out Example : 4p - 2q = 15 (2p + 4q = 19) x2 (times 2 to make unknown 4p same) - can also use matrix method .

5) The straight line (a)- y = mx + c - gradient, gradient. - What is c? c (y-intercept) is the point where the line touches the y-axis. - Can use gradient add maths method. (b) x-intercept of equation (a) - from (a), substitute y = 0 0 = mx + c 6) Quadratic expressions and equations - solve the equation is to find the unknown - change the equation of the question into general form - factorise by your own or using calculator - must state x = ?, x = ?, there will be 2 answers 7) Matrices - will mostly ask inverse matrix for part (a) - if youre not sure about the answer, check if the whole outcome is identical to the inverse matrix in the question. - the answer in a) is related to b) 8) Area and perimeter of circles (same as number 1) (a) (perimeter or circumference) (b) area of sector r - (angle/360 degree) x the formulae above for the area or perimeter of certain part

9) Probability - List all the sample space using set notation { } - do not use the formulae P(a) + P(b) or P(a) X P(b) - final answer is never less than 0 or more than 1, 1 > answer > 0 10) Gradient and area under a graph - based on speed/ time graph = distance is area of the graph = rate of change of speed is gradient of the graph = average speed is - based on distance/ time graph = rate of change of distance is gradient of the graph = average speeed. 11) Sets (2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010) - shading based on the questions (intersection or union) - beware of the complement such as A

2) Graph of functions (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009,and....) - the inequalities (upper line is >, lower line is <) - combination of 3 inequalities, 2 of the lines will be drawn in th answer space. - draw one straight line beware the type of line (full/ dashed) - shaded region is the area bounded by these three lines. Whats the conclusion? 2011 will be Sets! Wow, I can predict what will come out in this years SPM. :D Paper 2 (Section B) Answer 4 questions 1) Graph of functions - Linear functions (less likely to come out as its a straight line after plotted) - Quadratic functions (2004 and 2005) - Cubic functions (2007) - Reciprocal functions (2006) = this question is easy because you can detect the type of graph after you plot it. = x-axis and y-axis should be stated in the graph 2) Transformation - Translation - Reflection - Rotation - Enlargement = combination of transformation like VT -do T before V. It's some kind of law. 3) Statistic - Histogram ( 2004 and 2005) = x-axis the upper boundary with an additional lower boundary at the front of the graph = y-axis is frequency - Frequency Polygon (2006) = x-axis is midpoint = y-axis is frequency - Ogive (2007) = x-axis is upper boundary = y-axis is cumulative frequency = additional upper boundary should be added to the table = x-axis and y-axis should be stated in the graph 4) Plans and elevations -well Im not sure but what I can see is you must be able to imagine the solid from every side -plan is looked from above -elevation is looked from the side of the solid -the length and the edge (ABCD) should be stated correctly -similar to a chapter of the living skills in PMR 5) Earth as a sphere -no comment because Im not going to explain something that Im not sure -latitude is vertical and longitude is horizontal of the sphere -nautical mile

If you concentrate on these chapters and do a lot of past year questions, Im sure getting A1 in Maths is not a matter for you. Choose the 4 questions that youre confident in section B paper 2. Do all questions if you think you have much time to spend for taking a nap. Why study more if you know what kind of questions will come out?
Additional Tips 1) You know doesnt mean you can get correct, try to make less careless mistakes in each paper. 2) See through the questions word by word as there will be some tricky part in the questions, especially to and from in enlargement. 3) Dont be sad if you do badly in trial SPM because the odd might come to you in SPM. 4) Be sure to study smart, not study hard. Hope this helps.