O Levels 2022 A Maths Solutions

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Solutions to the 4049 specimen paper, 2014-2021 papers and selected questions from 2002-2013 papers can be accessed in the Additional Maths members area.

Thoughts on the papers

For paper 1, the challenging questions are:

  • Question 4(a) - Form and solve quadratic inequality (The confusing part is how to form the inequality!)

  • Question 6 - Use integration to find equation of curve from second derivative (tedious!)

  • Question 8(a) - Solve simultaneous equations with surds

  • Question 9(a) - Increasing function (dy/dx > 0)

  • Question 12 - Kinematics (especially if you don’t know what is an oscillation!)

  • Question 13(b) - Normal to the curve

For paper 2, the challenging questions are:

  • Question 5(a) - Trigonometry: Special angles & addition formula

  • Question 8(c) - Integration as reverse of differentiation

  • Question 9(b) - Circles

Overall, paper 2 easier than paper 1 (😂).

Paper 1 Solutions

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Question 1 - (a) Quadratic functions (b) Simultaneous equations

Question 2 - Linear law

Question 3 - Polynomials & partial fractions

Question 4 - (a) Form and solve quadratic inequality (b) Gradient of curve

Question 5 - Binomial theorem

Question 6 - Use integration to find equation of curve from second derivative

Question 7 - Plane geometry

Question 8 - (a) Solve simultaneous equations with surds (b) Discriminant (Line is tangent to curve)

Question 9 - (a) Increasing function (dy/dx > 0) (b) Solve cubic equation

Question 10 - Trigonometric graphs

Question 11 - Coordinate geometry

Question 12 - Kinematics

Question 13 - (a) No stationary point (b) Normal to the curve

Paper 2 Solutions

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Question 1 - Exponential functions (Real-life problem)

Question 2 - Polynomials

Question 3 - (a) Prove trigonometric identity (b) Use identity to solve trigonometric equation

Question 4 - Application of differentiation: Local maxima/minima problem

Question 5 - Trigonometry (special angles, addition formula & identity) & surds

Question 6 - (a) Solve exponential equation by substitution (b) Exponential function (find intercepts & gradient)

Question 7 - Trigonometry: R-formula

Question 8 - (a) Differentiation (b) Connected rate of change (c) Integration as reverse of differentiation

Question 9 - Circles

Question 10 - (a) Tangent to the curve (b) Find area bounded by line and curve