Express-stream students taking the O-levels in 2o14 for the first time will do A. Math 4047, whereas those repeating their A. Math O-level exam in 2014 will do A. Math 4038. A. Math 4047 is likely to stay around for the next five years.

So what is the difference between A. Math syllabus 4047 and A. Math 4038? The difference is technically not much, but makes a world of difference for students and teachers. Here are the differences:

(1) Students no longer need to know the inverse matrix method of solving simultaneous equations.

(2) Students now need to memorize two new formulae:

(i) a^3 + b^3 = (a+b)(a^2 – ab + b^2)

(ii) a^3 – b^3 = (a-b)(a^2 + ab + b^2)

(3) For Trigonometry, students no longer need to know the Factor Formula or its reverse, the Product Formula. Thank God. (But for JC H2 Math, the Product Formula is useful in the integration of some trigonometric functions)

(4) For Plane Geometry, students no longer need to know the Intercept, Intersecting and Tangent-Secant theorems. Thank God. (Many IP schools skip this topic anyway).

In summary, the new syllabus has less sub-topics than the old one. This is good news for both students and teachers of our content-heavy math curriculum.

Rgds,

Ilyasa (hp: 97860411)