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PM Mathematics Tips

This document provides tips for preparing for the SPM Mathematics exam in Malaysia. It discusses the format and content of the exam, including the types of questions that commonly appear. The exam consists of two papers: Paper 1 is a multiple choice test covering all topics, while Paper 2 has two sections - Section A involves direct questions on topics like volumes, angles, and matrices, while Section B requires students to answer 4 out of 5 multi-part questions involving graphs, transformations, or statistics. The document advises students to focus their preparation on these recurring question types and provides specific guidance for excelling on common exam questions.

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hafis82
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306 views5 pages

PM Mathematics Tips

This document provides tips for preparing for the SPM Mathematics exam in Malaysia. It discusses the format and content of the exam, including the types of questions that commonly appear. The exam consists of two papers: Paper 1 is a multiple choice test covering all topics, while Paper 2 has two sections - Section A involves direct questions on topics like volumes, angles, and matrices, while Section B requires students to answer 4 out of 5 multi-part questions involving graphs, transformations, or statistics. The document advises students to focus their preparation on these recurring question types and provides specific guidance for excelling on common exam questions.

Uploaded by

hafis82
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PM Mathematics Tips

by Bobby Ng for Writing Contest 2008


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. Its like if students think
Maths is shit, then take Add Maths. If you get 90% marks in Maths, you may have
potential to get 40% marks in Add Maths. Its near to impossible for someone who get A1
in Add Maths fail in Math. Well its not important. What Im going to discuss at here is
Mathematics.
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 ofstudents fail in Mathematics is higher than Malay Language
in real SPM, which is ridiculous. It is told that Mathematics is quite difficult among
Artstudents in seminar SPM, which I can't believe my eyes either.
In my opinion, 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 AddMaths, 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 Addmaths . 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 statethis

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 of out 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.
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)

- dont use Add Math method, answers will be different.


5) The straight line
- y = mx + c
- gradient, gradient.
- What is c? c (y-intercept) is the point where the line touches the y-axis.
6) Quadratic expressions and equations
- solve the equation is to find the unknown
- change the equation of the question into this form
- factorise by your own or using calculator
- must state x = ?, x = ?, there will be 2 answers
7) Matrices
- will mostly ask inverse matrix
- 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)
- 2r (perimeter or circumference) and r2 (area)
- (angle/360 degree) x the formulae above for the area or perimeter of certain part
9) Probability
- is more of (number / total number).
- the formulae given are plain useless
- 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 velocity is gradient of the graph
= speed is based on the graph (seldom being asked)
- beware of total distance and total speed
Can be varied each year
1) Sets (2004 and 2006)
- shading based on the questions (intersection or union)
- beware of the complement such as A
2) Graph of functions (2005 and 2007)
- the inequalities (upper line is >, lower line is <)
- if slanted line, you can imagine it into horizontal straight line. Same concept as above.
Whats the conclusion? 2008 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.
= elastic ruler is recommended
= x-axis and y-axis should be stated in the graph
2) Transformation
- Translation
- Reflection
- Rotation
- Enlargement ( careful with the word to and from because it determines the image
would be smaller or bigger)
= 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
My school hasnt come to these chapters below, but I will try my best to explain it.
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.

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