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ORIGINAL POST (OUTDATED):
It’s a pity that negative numbers are not taught in primary math …
Recently I tested two Sec 2 students, who are both very weak in math, on their knowledge of arithmetic involving negative numbers, and the result was what I suspected about lower sec students who are very weak in math. It reminded me of a stint I had giving math enrichment to very weak students in a secondary school. Their stories are the same – inability to handle negative numbers and negative signs in algebraic equations.
If you are in Sec 1, take the following test to see if you have acquired basic mastery of negative numbers. You PASS the test if you can answer every question correctly in not more than 8 SECONDS (yes, ONE SECOND per question). (Note: some qns may not have any negative numbers.)
(a) 5 + 3 = ____
(b) 5 – 3 = ____
(c) – 5 + 3 = ____
(d) – 5 – 3 = ____
(e) 3 + 5 = ____
(f) 3 – 5 = ____
(g) – 3 + 5 = ____
(h) – 3 – 5 = ____
Answers: (a) 8, (b) 2, (c) – 2, (d) – 8, (e) 8, (f) – 2, (g) 2, (h) – 8
If any of your answers are wrong, or you took more than 8 seconds to complete the test correctly, then you need to seriously revise and understand the concept of negative numbers, else your other topics such as algebraic simplification, expansion and factorisation will also be adversely affected. For eg, try the next one:
Simplify – 3a – [- b – (- 2a)]
Ans : b – 5a
Of course there are far harder questions. My point is, get your negative numbers in order, then you’ll see improvement in the way you solve algebraic equations. Remember, you’ll get ZERO marks for just one mistake made in the opening line of your half-page long math solution. So do not underestimate the significance of the negative sign.
The importance of Sec 2 Math and Science …
Beware the critical years in math education …
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What to do if you had done badly for Math in SA1 in sec school …
Actually, sec students will normally do badly in their SA1 exams, although this should not be used by the students themselves to justify their poor performance. Why does this “mass slaughter” of math students happen near the middle of every year?
Well, my educated guesses are as follows:
(1) If you are in Sec 1, you probably did badly because of your poor or zero exposure to algebra, negative numbers and proper presentations while in primary school. Please realise that your single arrows, your poorly labelled statements and your misuse of equation signs will really worsen your grades this time. So please listen carefully to your sec school teacher’s illustrations on how math solutions are presented in major exams. Many of you would also have made careless mistakes in opening brackets with minus signs on the inside and the outside, and in simplifying or solving algebraic expressions.
(2) If you are in Sec 2, in addition to not having overcome the above problems earlier, you were probably slapped with an exam paper that was designed to “kill”. The ‘logic’ is simple. Sec 2 is a crucial year; it is the year you are “streamed”, the year that decides whether you will be allowed to do pure sciences or additional math in sec 3. So teachers feel that they need to “wake you up”, to humble you, so that you will work harder for SA2. So most exam papers for SA1 in Sec 2 have been set to “wipe out” students. It is not something I fully agree with, as such tactics can also demoralize students for life.
(3) If you are in Sec 3, it was probably because you underestimated the effort needed to master A. Math. Topics like Quadratic Functions and Logarithms need a lot of attention and deep thinking, and even ‘simple’ topics like Remainder Theorem and Partial Fractions have their difficult parts, the kinds that teachers like to select for exams. Make no mistake about this – teachers KNOW what concepts you find difficult to apply.
(4) If you are in Sec 4, the reason is the same as in (2) above, that your Math teachers want to “wake you up” before the prelims and the actual O-Level exam, and also because you wouldn’t have had enought time to revise both Sec 3 and Sec 4 work before the exam which started right after you were taught the last topic. That’s why some schools remove the mid-year exam in Sec 4, or postpone it to late June.
What you have to do now to avoid a total disaster for SA2?
(1) If you are in Sec 1, focus on mastering the solving of Algebraic Equations.
(2) If you are in Sec 2, focus on mastering the solving of equations involving Algebraic Fractions and mastering all the topics on Graphs (Linear and Quadratic Equations). If you have been taught Indices, master that too!
(3) If you are in Sec 3, for Math, focus on mastering Indices, Coordinate Geometry and Trigonometry. For A. Math, focus on mastering Trigonometry.
(4) If you are in Sec 4, for Math, focus on mastering all of Graphs and Vectors. For A. Math, focus on Applications of Differentiation and Integration. If you have no time to revise everything since Sec 1, focus on the topics mentioned in (1) to (3) above. If you have not mastered all the topics mentioned in (1) to (4) above, you will be in serious trouble if you do Math in JC.
Click on How to study for Math or Physics exams to know more about exam preparation.
Click on O-Level Math or Additional Math to know what books you can use for revision and practice.
Or consult Mr Ilyasa @ 97860411.
All the best in your exams!
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