Posted May 12, 2008 British Poetry 1740-1850 on friday, then Experiments in Realism [novel] next wednesday. As above. Until earlier today I thought the day/exam was the other way round and have been revising for the last one instead of the first one. Not too bothered, I know I can pass, and I gave up on aiming for a first grade degree in the first semester of the second year. And once they're done... Christ, I don't know what I'll do, I'll have months of freedom. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Here come the GCSEs. Bring them on. Until I feel pressured by them I can't actually do any productive revision. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 I have Higher English this Thursday... I CAN'T WAIT!!!! (having done little to no revision for all 5 highers, I have high hopes) Here come the GCSEs. Bring them on. Until I feel pressured by them I can't actually do any productive revision. I've done little revision either, except for maths (since the entire year group got a U in the mocks thanks to Edexcel's incompetence). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Wow that's scary... People talking about GCSEs... I did mine 5 years ago NOW I feel old ;_; Edexcel fucked up our maths when I did it too... They put higher level stuff on intermediate papers! *luckily I did higher level and was prepared* So no change there.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 I had general studies today, and one on thursday. Ive also got 20/05 Geography AS Physical, Human and Techniques 21/05 Maths M1 22/05 Physics AS 02/06 Maths C1 resit & C2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 3 Exams for me this year starting end of the month. Though I've got 3 assignments in for friday which I'm shitting my pants about. Hoping to get them all done by Wednesday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Mine started May 2nd. Done 3 so far, with 5 more to go. Next is English on Thursday, not sure how well I'll do it that since I've completely forgotten the two texts we are supposed to write essays on for it, but if all else fails I got an A in the prelim so I can always appeal :p Out of curiosity, can anybody work out this equation for me: x² - 10x + 18 = (x - a)² + b Find the value of a and b. That was in the Credit Standard Grade paper, which in England is equivalent to an A or B at GCSE. How the hell do you find a or b, when there are 3 variables in the equation and nothing is given? Literally up there I've written everything we were given in the question. Nobody in the exam room got it from asking around afterwards. My dad couldn't get it. I swear, it's a misprint of some sort, but it's been really bugging me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Mine started May 2nd. Done 3 so far, with 5 more to go. Next is English on Thursday, not sure how well I'll do it that since I've completely forgotten the two texts we are supposed to write essays on for it, but if all else fails I got an A in the prelim so I can always appeal :p Out of curiosity, can anybody work out this equation for me: That was in the Credit Standard Grade paper, which in England is equivalent to an A or B at GCSE. How the hell do you find a or b, when there are 3 variables in the equation and nothing is given? Literally up there I've written everything we were given in the question. Nobody in the exam room got it from asking around afterwards. My dad couldn't get it. I swear, it's a misprint of some sort, but it's been really bugging me. You need to separate up the 18 and factorise the quadratic(i think). Then you should get the square and the "b" will be whats left of the 18. If I wasn't sick of maths for today I'd do it. :P EDIT: Okay, I'm thinking and I can't work it out. I know what to do but it's not working...I'd say you're right and it's a misprint. :S Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Out of curiosity, can anybody work out this equation for me: Quote: x² - 10x + 18 = (x - a)² + b Find the value of a and b. That was in the Credit Standard Grade paper, which in England is equivalent to an A or B at GCSE. How the hell do you find a or b, when there are 3 variables in the equation and nothing is given? Literally up there I've written everything we were given in the question. Nobody in the exam room got it from asking around afterwards. My dad couldn't get it. I swear, it's a misprint of some sort, but it's been really bugging me. Completing the square! x² -10x = -18 ______________________ Take constant to the other side x² - 10x + 100 = 100-18 ______________Add (coeff of x)² to each side (x-10)(x-10) = 82 ___________________ Factorise the LHS, resolve the RHS (x-10)² = 82 _______________________ Convert LHS to (x-a)² (x-10)² - 82 _________________________ .... x² - 10x + 18 = (x-10)² - 82 ___________ Profit! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Completing the square! x² -10x = -18 x² - 10x + 100 = 100-18 (x-10)(x-10) = 82 (x-10)² = 82 (x-10)² - 82 Ah I see. I tried it again a different way(probably wrong), and managed to get a and b but different answers. :S Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Completing the square! x² -10x = -18 ______________________ Take constant to the other side x² - 10x + 100 = 100-18 ______________Add (coeff of x)² to each side (x-10)(x-10) = 82 ___________________ Factorise the LHS, resolve the RHS (x-10)² = 82 _______________________ Convert LHS to (x-a)² (x-10)² - 82 _________________________ .... x² - 10x + 18 = (x-10)² - 82 ___________ Profit! Where does that 100 come from? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Where does that 100 come from? He just added it to both sides. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Where does that 100 come from? It's the co-eff of x (in this case, -10), squared. You can add it to both sides as they would cancel out if you wanted them too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 My exams are in less than a months time, yet I still haven't received my time table. Nor have I been able to start studying yet. I haven't even -read- through any of my course books yet due to all the work. >.<; Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 I still don't see where that comes from. Why the 10 in particular, why squared? Is this A Level, or GCSE level stuff btw? I don't remember this in any course work or past papers :p Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 I still don't see where that comes from. Why the 10 in particular, why squared? Is this A Level, or GCSE level stuff btw? I don't remember this in any course work or past papers :p I did at AS personally, but only when our teacher discovered we didn't already know it... Regardless of the co-eff of x, it's what you need to add to both sides to be able to complete the square, and therefore factorise it. Do what I did to your equation with ax² + bx + c = 0, and you'll get out the famous quadratic formula. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Hmm, ok. I'm only at Standard Grade Maths though, we have done a little Higher Stuff to fill time because we were a bit ahead but I have no idea why thats come up in a SG exam:wtf: But at least I'll have a head start now for next year I guess:awesome: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Hmm, ok. I'm only at Standard Grade Maths though, we have done a little Higher Stuff to fill time because we were a bit ahead but I have no idea why thats come up in a SG exam:wtf: But at least I'll have a head start now for next year I guess:awesome: I suppose you could have used the quadratic formula, which is derived by completing the square. If you need any more maths (or geography or physics) help in the future, MSN me! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 I suppose you could have used the quadratic formula, which is derived by completing the square. If you need any more maths (or geography or physics) help in the future, MSN me! I experimented with the quadratic formula, but without adding that 100, and got nowhere:heh: Thanks though, thats been bugging me since Thursday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 I had an exam today which wasn't too bad considering I basically learnt the module in 3 or 4 days but now I have a 2 week gap until my last ever exam at uni.....unless i fuck up and have to retake. Then I have to figure out what im gonna do with my life.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 I experimented with the quadratic formula, but without adding that 100, and got nowhere:heh: Thanks though, thats been bugging me since Thursday. I guess (albeit several days too late) it's lucky for you I had to re-learn how to complete the square when it popped up in a practice C4 paper... Actually, talking of C4... Can you say all the C1-6, M1-4, S1-4, and D1-2 (or are there more D's?) past papers and mark schemes EVER? I can. How useful... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Only D1 and 2, D2 is somehow even easier then D1. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Two practical exams next week. Should be straight forward really. My written exams don't start til June. 6th - M3 11th - Physics Unifying Concepts 12th - Chemistry Unifying Concepts 16th - FP1 17th - Cosmology 19th - Trends and Patterns/MAD 20th - FP3 (joy oh joy...) I need to average a 70% in my last three Maths exams to get an A in Further Maths overall (already got an A in normal Maths). And I need an A in order to get into uni. You C4 people have it easy, it's actually quite a nice exam. Just make damn sure you know your integration. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 C4 is a bitch, I wish it would die. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted May 12, 2008 Explain to me. What exams are these? I'm curious about your education system. We only have exams in 2 months or so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
