Top 10 Experts' Mistakes

(Tasks Level: Line 1-2)

MathMaster
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Example #1 - Domain of composition
Task:

Common answer: Correct answer:

Explanation: Domain of 𝑓∘𝑔 consists of all 𝑥, for which 𝑔 and 𝑓∘𝑔 are defined. 𝑔 is defined for all 𝑥 except 0, 𝑓∘𝑔
(simplified) is defined for all 𝑥 except −13/2. These two values are excluded.
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Example #2 - Simplification
Task:
Common answer:

Correct answer:

Explanation: The task says that the variables represent any real numbers. In case 𝑧<0 the first expression equals −𝑧.
The formula, which takes into account both cases 𝑧≥0 and 𝑧<0, is |𝑧|. The similar situation for the second answer.
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Example #3 - Polynomial from a graph
Task:

Common answer:

Correct answer:

Explanation: pay attention to the points on the graph in the condition. In this case the point (0,-0.2) is given in the text
description from which Experts shall derive the coefficient from the equation
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Example #4 - Cardinality of a set
Task:

Common answer:

Correct answer:

Explanation: Cardinality of the set, 𝑛(𝑋), is the number of elements in 𝑋. Common answer gave the set correctly, but,
since the question was about cardinality, the client needed the number of elements in this set.
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Example #5 - Exponential graph
Task:

Common answer:

Correct answer:

Explanation:Use asymptote and two points on the graph to derive the equation. Since asymptote is 𝑦=1, we have
𝑦=𝐴⋅𝐵^𝑥+1. The points are (0,2) and (-1,4).
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Example #6 - Point-slope form of a line
Task:

Common answer: Correct answer:

Explanation: The point-slope form of equation through the point

In such cases first or second point given in the condition shall be used.
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Example #7 - Absolute extrema

Task: Common answer: Correct answer:

Explanation: absolute maximum/minimum is the largest/smallest value on the given interval. It is important to
consider the values of the function at the endpoints to find it.
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Example #8 - Coordinate transforms
Task:

Common answer: Correct answer:

Explanation: When dealing with coordinate transforms please remember that operations like shifts, reflections,
compressions etc. are not commutative. If the graph is first compressed and then shifted, the function would be 𝑓
(9(𝑥−2))=𝑓(9𝑥−18).
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Example #9 - Polynomial factorization
Task:

Common answer: Correct answer:

Explanation: If the condition is to write as a product of linear factors, Experts should use complex numbers in case
the polynomial cannot be factorized with linear factors in real numbers.
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Example #10 - Signs of trigonometric functions
Task:

Common answer: Correct answer:

Explanation:The signs are very important in such tasks. Note, that from