Pure Mathematics exam tips

Exam tips

• First order differential equations exam tip 1

  Write the method before the answer so the examiner can follow each step. Apply this to h7 Evaluate the analytical solution of simple first order differential equations with separable variables, including finding particular solutions, where separation of variables may require factorisation involving a common factor..

  This keeps the answer actionable and aligned to First order differential equations, rather than giving generic revision advice.

• Differential equation interpretation exam tip 1

  Write the method before the answer so the examiner can follow each step. Apply this to h8 Interpret the solution of a differential equation in the context of solving a problem, including identifying limitations of the solution and links to kinematics..

  This keeps the answer actionable and aligned to Differential equation interpretation, rather than giving generic revision advice.

• Root location exam tip 1

  Write the method before the answer so the examiner can follow each step. Apply this to i1 Locate roots of f(x) = 0 by considering changes of sign of f(x) in an interval of x on which f(x) is sufficiently well behaved; understand how change of sign methods can fail..

  This keeps the answer actionable and aligned to Root location, rather than giving generic revision advice.

• Iterative methods and Newton-Raphson exam tip 1

  Write the method before the answer so the examiner can follow each step. Apply this to i2 Solve equations approximately using simple iterative methods; draw associated cobweb and staircase diagrams; solve equations using the Newton-Raphson method and other recurrence relations of the form x_(n+1) = g(x_n); understand how such methods can fail..

  This keeps the answer actionable and aligned to Iterative methods and Newton-Raphson, rather than giving generic revision advice.

• Numerical integration exam tip 1

  Write the method before the answer so the examiner can follow each step. Apply this to i3 Understand and use numerical integration of functions, including the trapezium rule and estimating the approximate area under a curve and limits that it must lie between..

  This keeps the answer actionable and aligned to Numerical integration, rather than giving generic revision advice.

• Numerical methods in context exam tip 1

  Write the method before the answer so the examiner can follow each step. Apply this to i4 Use numerical methods to solve problems in context..

  This keeps the answer actionable and aligned to Numerical methods in context, rather than giving generic revision advice.