Revision Notes P3 0 P7
Revision Notes P3 0 P7
Revision Notes P3 0 P7
ALGEBRA
When you remove the modulus sign by squaring be fair and square each and every term
e.g. |2x+3|<5|6-x | that 5 must be squared.
Please use difference if 2 squares with brackets to factorize rather than expanding and then
factorize.
[(2x+3)-5(6-x)][(2x+3)+5(6-x)]<0.
For you to get full marks please draw the number line and draw the graph – NO SHORTCUT!
For |2x+3|>3x DO NOT USE THE GRAPH. Use the CHECKING method after getting the roots.
Use graphical approach for |2x+3|< 1+ sqrt (x) not the squaring method.
Remainder theorem stated: P(x) = (x-a)Q(x) + R while factor theorem is P(x) = (x+a)Q(x) + 0.
If 2 is a root of an equation then x-2 is a FACTOR of that polynomial.
When doing a long division ensure (i) divisor and the dividend are in DESCENDING powers of x ,
(ii) make provision for ALL THE POWERS of x in the dividend.
Partial fractions : please check DEGREES first. When you run out of the values of x to make some
of the terms zero, equate COEFFICIENTS of the like terms INDEPENDENTLY i.e. the x squared on
their own , the x on their own and the constant terms on their own.
Given (2-x)^(-3) remember the 2 must be raised to power( - 3) and and when you expand use
(-x/2) raised to the appropriate power. Do not forget the minus!
The graph of y = e^x has y=0 as an asymptote and crosses y axis at (0;1)
The graph of y = ke^x has y=0 as an asymptote and crosses the y axis at (0;k)
The graph of y= e^(-x) is the reflection of y=e^x in the y axis.
The graph of y= - e^x is the reflection of y=e ^x in the x axis.
The graph of y= lnx has x=0 as an asymptote and crosses the x axis at (1;0) it is also the reflection
of y = e^x in the line y=x.
The graph of y=klnx has x =0 as an asymptote and crosses the x axis at (1;0)
The graph of y = lnkx has x=0 as an asymptote and crosses the x axis at (1/k; 0), equate kx to 1.
To get the asymptote for the graph y = ln(3x-1) equate 3x-1 to zero, x=1/3 and to get where it
cuts the x axis, equate 3x-1 to 1, x=2/3.
To solve 3^x = 2 take ln on both sides. To solve e^x + e^-x =3 NEVER ln one by one. Use a
substitution. Given y = ab^(-x) use lny = lna – xlnb and RELATE it to Y = MX + C where lny = Y; -
lnb = M( note the minus); x = X and lna = C.
TRIGONOMETRY
Recall secant X = sec X = 1/cos X ; cosecant x = cosec X = 1/sin X ; cotangent X = cot X = 1/tan X
To solve sec X = 5 go 1/cos X = 5 cos X = 1/5 then go to quadrants.
Graphs: for sec X start with cos X graph dotted and then draw the sec X from that. Same goes for
cosec X from sin X and cot X from tan X.
Trig identities you are given on the list of formulae – know them; recognize them; move from
one form to another.
Understand and recognize compound angles sin(A+B) etc. if you are given sin X + 2cos X and
asked to express that in the form Rcos(X – a) please write it as 2 cos X + sin X first for you to get
the right a.
Understand and recognize DOUBLE angles. You double or halve the angles only.
Sinx = 2sin(X/2)cos(X/2) . Remember sin X cos X = (1/2)sin2x.
DIFFERENTIATION
Exponential functions – ‘well behaved’ never destroyed d/dx(e^f(X)) = f’(X)e^f(X).
Ln functions please apply theory of logs first if possible e.g. asked to differentiate lnx^3(1/X+3)
go 3lnx-ln(X+3) then differentiate term by term; asked to differentiate lncotx go lncosx- lnsinx
then differentiate term by term.
Please, please, please see PRODUCTS X sin 2x is a product; xy is a product etc and use the
product formula to differentiate which simply says differentiate one and multiple by the other
and vice versa.
For ( cosx)/X use the quotient rule.
For implicit functions please see products and remember do not start with dy/dx and when you
differentiate y wrt X you get dy/dx and when you differentiate dy/dx wrt X you get d^2y/dx^2
For trig functions recall d/dx(sin X ) = cos X and d/dx(cos X) = - sin X . Do not mix up
differentiation with integration.
INTEGRATION
Understand , recognize and remember the 6 techniques. Each time you integrate you divide by
something.
TECHNIQUE 1 is for algebraic functions kx^n or (ax+b)^n the highest power of X inside the
brackets must be one.
TECHNIQUE 2 is for the exponential functions ke^(ax).
TECHNIQUE 3 is for functions which go to ln . These are of the form f’(X)/f(X) i.e. denominator
in brackets must have power 1 and the numerator can be made to be the EXACT derivative of
the denominator . tanx and cot X fall into this category and not under trig.
TECHNIQUE 4 is for trig functions ksin(ax+b) ; kcos(ax+b); ksec^2(ax+b).
For sin^2 and cos^2 use the double angle formulae. Note that 1/sec^2x is cos^2 X needs double
angle. 1/secx is cosx .
TECHNIQUE 5 is the use of a substitution.
Remember to write dx in the original expression and substitute for it first.
Do not mix variables .
Remember to change the limits as well. If these seem to be upside down do not change them
around.
TECHNIQUE 6 is for products as xsinx; xe^x; xlnx; lnx etc. put u = X unless there is a ln. If it is
there, then put u = lnx the other term will be dv/dx not v.
If this process is to be repeated please use brackets so that signs are not messed up.
ITERATION
Convergent – series/sequence of numbers getting to some fixed value.
Divergent – series/sequence of numbers getting bigger and bigger.
Given a convergent formula you can go back to the original equation by dropping the subscripts
and simplifying.
If a formula contains sin , cos, tan make sure your calculator is in radian mode.
To hunt for a sign change please introduce f(X) first.
VECTORS
IN ALL CASES PLEASE MAKE A SKETCH
Be familiar with the various forms of the equation of the line – using column vectors, using the
standard unit vectors i ; j; k and a parameter t, parametric equations of the line; Cartesian
equations of a line. To find the equation of any line you need the direction and position vector
of one point on the line.
Parallel lines – just look at the direction vectors only without the parameters. One must be a
scalar multiple of the other.
Perpendicular lines – dot product of direction vectors must be 0.
Intersecting lines – the three equations must be satisfied. Use two and check with the third.
To show lines are skew – show that they are not parallel and that they do not intersect.
Perpendicular distance of a point P from a line – let N be foot of perpendicular: (i) find position
vector of N on the line in terms of the parameter; (ii) find PN which is N – P; (iii) use PN dot
direction of line = 0 to find the value of the parameter etc
To find the equation of a plane you need the normal and position vector of one point on the
plane and use r dot a= a dot b which can also be written as (r – b) dot a = 0.
To show that a point lies on the plane substitute r by position vector of the point and get an
equality.
To show that a line lies in a plane replace r by the equation of the line(right hand side), the
parameter disappears and get an equality.
Angle between planes is the angle between normals.
Angle between a line and a plane use a dot b = |a||b|sin theta
To find where a line meets the plane replace r by right hand side of the equation of the line and
solve for the parameter and go back to equation of the line and put the parameter.
Distance of a point from a plane use the formula.
Distance of a plane from the origin use r dot a/|a|= d/|a| right hand side gives the distance.
Distance between parallel planes is the difference between their distances from the origin.
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Be able to write a rate in terms of symbols d something by dt. Pay attention to units they will
help you.
Rates which indicate a decrease must be accompanied by a minus.
If you have volume in and volume out dv/dt is the net rate.
Note the initial or boundary conditions well. At the beginning or initially means t = 0
Be able to write a rate as a product of two rates noting the rate you already have.
Separate the variables and integrate and add + C always.
To see what a given quantity approaches write the right hand side with the other variable in the
denominator, that denominator will go to infinity and that term goes to zero.
COMPLEX NUMBERS
Be familiar with the three forms RECTANGULAR; POLAR; EXPONENTIAL.
When you draw an Argand diagram please label it.
When you go polar use the Argand diagram for you to get the right argument.
Recall De Moivre’s theorem [r(cosx + i sinx)]^n = (r^n)(cosnx + i sin nx). Very useful when finding
square roots.
For loci use the brackets correctly |z-(2+i)|= k ; centre is at 2 + i; |z – 2 + i|= k ; centre is at 2 – i
|z+2+i|= k ; centre is at – 2 – i.
Be familiar with the three loci circle; perpendicular bisect and half line. Note to that
arg( – Z) = pi/4 is a half line from the origin to in the third quadrant directly opposite to the half
line for arg (z) = pi/4.
If given an equation in complex number z e.g. Z^3 – 4z^2 + z – 1 = 0 and the equation has no i in
it then roots appear with their complex conjugates. If 2-i is a root, then 2 + i is a root also.
Straight on from above: if 2 – i is a root the z – (2-i) which is z – 2 + i is a factor and in this case
z – 2 – i is another factor AND (z-2+i)(z-2-i) is another factor i.e. z^2 – 4z + 1 (no i) which can be
divided into the original equation to get the third factor.
NOTES ON P7
THE POISSON DISTRIBUTION
This is for a discrete random variable. Values of X start from 0.
Pay special attention to lambda. It is always per something.
Before any calculations ensure you are using the right lambda by using proportion.
If calculating a set of values for X , factor out e to minus lambda it simplifies working and you
save time.
You can add the lambdas of two independent Poisson . The key word will be ‘total’.
Be familiar with the 4 conditions for the Poisson. If you are given say call come in at the rate
of 5 in an hour and they ask you to state the conditions which these calls should satisfy so
that Poisson distribution can be used, do not say they must come at a uniform rate. That is
repeating what they gave you already. Give the other three.
Poisson can approximate B(n;p) provided n>50 and np<5.
Poisson distribution is the only one where mean = variance always.
Normal distribution can be used to estimate Poisson distribution provided lambda is greater
than 15. Please recall Check Chido applies here.