SPM Mathematics

In SPM, mathematics is considered as compulsory subject. You must pass this subject in order to
get the certificates along with Malay language. Malay language test takes a lot of time and your
hand hurts like hell after writing so many words. Its not simple either. owe!er, the percentage
of students fail in Mathematics is higher than Malay "anguage in real SPM, which is ridiculous.
It is told that Mathematics is #uite $difficult among %rt students in seminar SPM, which I cant
belie!e my eyes either.
In my opinion, Mathematics is the easiest subject in SPM for Science students. I belie!e PM&
students can e!en do with their PM& standard knowledge because some #uestions like !olume of
solid and area and perimeter of a circle being test in SPM. Its not being taught in SPM therefore
you can only depend on your past knowledge in 'orm (. %lthough the #uestions are a lot easier
than %dd Maths, )here are still some pupils ha!ing difficulties in Maths.
I see some students lea!e the $ha!ent done answers after they get the formulae to be applied in
the #uestions, which they didnt really answer the #uestions. Some of them dont understand the
#uestions needs. )herefore, e*ercises and guidance from teachers are essential for impro!ement.
)he #uestions are so direct and mostly the answers will less likely to appear in decimal. You
need a little bit of logic compare to %dd maths. +esides that, e!en if you do well in monthly test,
you might end up tilting head during SPM e*amination hall. Its because monthly tests dont
follow the real format of SPM. "ike Inter!ention , for -" state this year, theres no chance in
hell this #uestion is coming out in real SPM.
+ased on SPM Maths, it consists of ( papers .
Paper 1
/ , 0 hors
/ 12 #uestions
/ 12 marks
3!ery chapter will be tested in Paper ,. )he #uestions will be tested from 'orm , until 'orm 4.
Since you ha!e already mastered the some basics in PM&, these shouldnt be a problem. 5o past
year objecti!e #uestions will strengthen your basic.
Paper 2
/ ( 6 hours
/ working steps must be done
/ Section %
7 4( marks
7 ,, #uestions
/ Section +
7 18 marks
7 4 #uestions 9answer 1 of out 4:
In paper (, there are only certain chapters that will be tested in SPM maths. )hats why I will
concentrate more on paper (. )he whole paper ( format based on past year #uestions in random
order with brief tips below
Confirmed to be tested every year
Paper 2 (Section A)
1) Volume of solids (which was tauht in form 2)
/ most of the formula gi!en are for this #uestion
/ make sure the formula are used correctly
/ combined solid is sum of !olume of the solids
/ remaining solid is the subtraction of bigger solid and smaller solid
2) Anles of elevation and depression
/using trigonometry rule
!) Mathematical reasonin
/ statement $and and $or
/ If p, then #. If #, then p.
") Simultaneous linear e#uation
/ e#uali;e the same unknown and take out
3*ample . 1p < (# 7 ,4
9(p = 1# 7 ,>: *( 9times ( to make unknown 1p same:
/ dont use %dd Math method, answers will be different.
$) %he straiht line
/ y 7 m* = c
/ gradient, gradient?.
/ @hat is cA c 9y/intercept: is the point where the line touches the y/a*is.
&) 'uadratic e(pressions and e#uations
/ $sol!e the e#uation is to find the unknown
/ change the e#uation of the #uestion into this form
/ factorise by your own or using calculator
/ must state * 7 A, * 7 A, there will be ( answers
)) Matrices
/ will mostly ask in!erse matri*
/ if youre not sure about the answer, check if the whole outcome is identical to the in!erse
matri* in the #uestion.
/ the answer in a: is related to b:
*)Area and perimeter of circles (same as number 1)
/ (Br 9perimeter or circumference: and Br( 9area:
/ 9angleCDE2 degree: * the formula abo!e for the area or perimeter of certain part
+) Probability
/ is more of 9number C total number:.
/ the formula gi!en are plain useless
/ final answer is ne!er less than 2 or more than ,, , F answer F 2
1,) -radient and area under a raph
/ based on speedC time graph
7 distance is area of the graph
7 rate of change of !elocity is gradient of the graph
7 speed is based on the graph 9seldom being asked:
/ beware of total distance and total speed
Paper 2 (Section .) Answer " #uestions
1) -raph of functions
/ "inear functions 9less likely to come out as its a straight line after plotted:
/ Guadratic functions 9(221 and (224:
/ Hubic functions 9(22I:
/ &eciprocal functions 9(22E:
7 this #uestion is easy because you can detect the type of graph after you plot it.
7 elastic ruler is recommended
7 */a*is and y/a*is should be stated in the graph
2) %ransformation
/ )ranslation
/ &eflection
/ &otation
/ 3nlargement 9 careful with the word $to and $from because it determines the image would be
smaller or bigger:
7 combination of transformation like J)
/do ) before J. Its some kind of law.
!) Statistic
/ istogram 9 (221 and (224:
7 */a*is the upper boundary with an additional lower boundary at the front of the graph
7 y/a*is is fre#uency
/ 're#uency Polygon 9(22E:
7 */a*is is midpoint
7 y/a*is is fre#uency
/ Kgi!e 9(22I:
7 */a*is is upper boundary
7 y/a*is is cumulati!e fre#uency
7 additional upper boundary should be added to the table
7 */a*is and y/a*is should be stated in the graph
") Plans and elevations
/well Im not sure but what I can see is you must be able to imagine the solid from e!ery side
/plan is looked from abo!e
/ele!ation is looked from the side of the solid
/the length and the edge 9%+H5: should be stated correctly
/similar to a chapter of the li!ing skills in PM&
$) /arth as a sphere
/no comment because Im not going to e*plain something that Im not sure
/latitude is !ertical and longitude is hori;ontal of the sphere
/nautical mile
If you concentrate on these chapters and do a lot of past year #uestions, Im sure getting %, in
Maths is not a matter for you. Hhoose the 1 #uestions that youre confident in section + paper (.
5o all #uestions if you think you ha!e much time to spend for taking a nap. @hy study more if
you know what kind of #uestions will come outA