Things to look out for in the exams

[Stick]

So, with the ever-strengthening cohort, I'm betting VCAA will delve deeper into the study design to help separate the best students from the rest. Throughout the year I've made a bit of a mental note of thinks to look out for so I thought it would be a good idea to make a collaborative list for the benefit of the AN Further Maths community. Please feel free to make suggestions and I will add them up.

Core: Data Analysis
- General terminology and accurate descriptions
- Appropriate descriptions of univariate data
- Random population samples
- A possible negative Pearson's correlation co-efficient from a provided co-efficient of determination
- Residual plots
- Appropriate trend terminology in time series evaluations
- Seasonal time series data

Module 1: Number Patterns
- Evaluating the common ratio and and common difference from an equation and difference equation
- Ratios
- Sum of a series method

Module 2: Geometry and Trigonometry
- Ambiguous case of the sine rule

Module 3: Graphs and Relations
- Non-linear graphs where c≠0
- Linear programming - blending/transportation problems
- Linear programming - maximum/minimum lies on a line segment
- Linear programming - non-integer solutions for discrete variables
- Sliding line technique

Module 4: Business-related Mathematics
- Credit card applications

Module 5: Networks and Decision Mathematics
- Determining a critical path from a table of values

Module 6: Matrices
- Find the determinant of a matrix manually, showing all workings
- Identify why a matrix might be singular
- Recognise where proportions are placed in a Transition Matrix
- Evaluate why some matrices cannot be multiplied
- Show approriate reasoning why a Steady State has been reached, coincided with before and after matrix examples

Special thanks to:
- Yendall (Core, Number Patterns, Networks and Decision Mathematics, Matrices)

[Yendall]

Core:
-General terminology and accurate descriptions
-Appropriate descriptions of Stem and Leaf plots, Histograms, Data sets etc.
-Appropriate trend terminology in time series evaluations

Number Patterns:
-If an equation is Arithmetic and you are given a difference equation like this and are asked to evaluate the values of m and k:
A_n-1 = mA_n + k
Do not be fooled into thinking because there is no ratio that m = 0, it equals 1.
-Be able to recognise when to use the Sum of a Series to evaluate application questions

Networks:
-Be able to determine a critical path from a table of values
-Make sure you always double check your shortest paths. It is very common and easy to miscalculate.

[djsandals]

Just a question about the sliding line technique as I screwed it up in a sac...is the rule if the gradient of the objective function is positive then you slide top to bottom and if it's negative then you slide bottom to top?

[b^3]

Just thought I'd sticky this, as it looks like this may help to work out where most of you have trouble e.t.c. Keep it coming guys.

[Stick]

Core:
-General terminology and accurate descriptions
-Appropriate descriptions of Stem and Leaf plots, Histograms, Data sets etc.
-Appropriate trend terminology in time series evaluations

Number Patterns:
-If an equation is Arithmetic and you are given a difference equation like this and are asked to evaluate the values of m and k:
A_n-1 = mA_n + k
Do not be fooled into thinking because there is no ratio that m = 0, it equals 1.
-Be able to recognise when to use the Sum of a Series to evaluate application questions

Networks:
-Be able to determine a critical path from a table of values
-Make sure you always double check your shortest paths. It is very common and easy to miscalculate.

I've tried to make these sound as objective as possible but let me know if my description is too vague.

[Yendall]

Just change 'm' to Common Ratio(r) and 'k' to Common Difference(d)

[brenden]

Not sure if anyone else would ever make this mistake but, when your 'x' value is less than your 'x bar' value in the z-score formula, make sure you write the negative sign before you say someone is "x amount of standard deviations from the mean". Lost a mark. /cried

[Yendall]

Not sure if anyone else would ever make this mistake but, when your 'x' value is less than your 'x bar' value in the z-score formula, make sure you write the negative sign before you say someone is "x amount of standard deviations from the mean". Lost a mark. /cried

What, like this:

[brenden]

Not sure if anyone else would ever make this mistake but, when your 'x' value is less than your 'x bar' value in the z-score formula, make sure you write the negative sign before you say someone is "x amount of standard deviations from the mean". Lost a mark. /cried

What, like this:

Nah nah nah. Say,
100-110
________
    10

= -1 SD

[Yendall]

Not sure if anyone else would ever make this mistake but, when your 'x' value is less than your 'x bar' value in the z-score formula, make sure you write the negative sign before you say someone is "x amount of standard deviations from the mean". Lost a mark. /cried

What, like this:

Nah nah nah. Say,
100-110
________
    10

= -1 SD

Oh right. If its -1 it's one standard deviation below the mean.
How come you stuffed that up?

[Stick]

Not sure if anyone else would ever make this mistake but, when your 'x' value is less than your 'x bar' value in the z-score formula, make sure you write the negative sign before you say someone is "x amount of standard deviations from the mean". Lost a mark. /cried

That's fairly routine, brenden, so I'm not going to put that on the list. However, it did remind me of another little trick which has popped up a little: when given an r^2 value and asked to find r, many people forget that the r value can be negative. A lot of people stuffed this up on my school's core SAC so I've put it up on the list.

[Stick]

Looking for some matrices advice... ^_^

[Yendall]

Looking for some matrices advice... ^_^

Matrices:

• Be able to find the Determinant of a matrix manually, to show full working out.
• Ability to identify why a matrix might be singular (det|x| = 0)
• Ability to recognize where proportions are placed in a Transition Matrix
• Ability to evaluate why some matrices cannot be multiplied
• Show approriate reasoning why a Steady State has been reached, coincided with before and after matrix examples:
  Example:
  

[brenden]

-Be able to determine what information a matrix is actually giving you rather than plugging in the numbers. Eg. The total cost of products sold in Store A and Store B.

[lem]

Hey could someone please clarify what the 'sliding line technique' is ? I dont remember this omg