Simultaneous Inequalities 

Don't be put off by previous attempts

Don't be put off by previous attempts

Many candidates don't make it in mathematics for the first time. Statistics shows that less than 30% of the candidates do well in November Mathematics Exams.

Maybe you have tried many times and failed the Exam and are considering a resit in next June or Nov Exams. It's not time to get discouraged by previous results. 

The most important thing in this case is to learn from mistakes. We fail because we make mistakes in our study or in the exams.

 

It maybe that

- you didn't cover important areas of the syllabus

- you couldn't finish the exam 

- you are not that good in maths 

- you hate the subject

- you couldn't find a better tutor.

- or YOU SIMPLY DONT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

It's time to reconsider and look out for the best ways to deals with your mistakes and weaknesses.

What do you think failed you in your last attempt?

Android App for Maths Lessons (Zimsec)

As mobile penetration rate increases in the region, so is the uptake of digital products by many consumers. Education sector is not an exception and many students are enrolling for online and mobile learning.

I have been offering video lessons on zimsec syllabus through YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp since 2014 and the uptake of lessons is increasing as many students and candidates in Diaspora are relying completely on these lessons. 

We have helped hundreds if not thousands through our video lessons, blogs and ebooks. Majority of these students were successful in their final exams.

However, many more discover the service late or after writing exams. This shows that there is need to expand distribution channels and methods.

Other students are not on facebook and dont visit the internet often. Others access the service through WhatsApp only and many more are not on WhatsApp due to many reasons.

We thought it best to introduce an android app that will be available soon on Google Play. 

Students will be able to stream and download video lessons, exercises and expected answers, ebooks, blog links and social media pages.

The app will have four to six FREE basic Maths topics for O Level Zimsec syllabus. Lessons for other subjects will be added as we progress.

The app will be also available as an apk for those who cant download on google play. 

For more information 

Contact:  WhatsApp +263 733 796 118

Difference between Exam Coaching and Tutoring

There are many people who can teach mathematics at any level and have not been a Teacher or trained for the profession. Its either they did well in the subject or enjoy the discipline.

Many students and candidates dont understand the difference between a tutor and an exam coach. They might be all teachers but coaching goes a step further to ensure that candidates answer questions as expected and prepare for exam specufic content.

The difference:

A tutor/teacher teaches you just maths principles and usually follows the title page of the textbook.

He ot she makes sure students and candidates know every chapter in the textbook but doesnt look much into exam areas.

A coach identifies Exam specific areas and concentrate on the exam questions and syllabus structure. He is there is to find the easiest, fast and accurate ways of dealing with exam questions.

Exam coaches are not concerned with completion of the syllabus but coverage of principles of regular exam topics or questions.

They identify your weakness and capitalize on your strength. They 'spot' the exam and can handle a poor performing candidate in less time than expected.

Who needs a Tutor/Teacher.
Teachers introduces new things to students. They guide the class in the study of a topic and uses textbooks.

School pupils and slow leaners definitely need a teacher. They need basics and indepth knowledge of every principle.

Who needs a Coach?

School leavers and working class need exam coach. They are familiar with some of the concepts. What they need is just how to use them in an exam situation.

Students who need to excel in Math also need a coach. Coaches find it very easy to make a student pass with an 'A', since they are quick to grasp concepts and have more time for revisions.

Few tips on sets

Sets are paper 2 regulars and might contribute significantly in the coming November exams since there were not tested much in June. Candidates should prepare for Set(2) to garner more marks on the topic.

There are few tips on how to master the topic, i will break them into 4 parts

(i) Venn Diagram
there is much need to understand the Venn diagram since everything will be centered around the concept. Candidates should bear in mind that Venn diagrams present sets in a logical manner. If you can easily interpret symbols of the sets, you can also easily grasp venn diagrams.
Things that must be mastered on the concept are:
 #1 Intersections
#2 only parts
#3 unions
#4 complements

(ii) Algebra in Sets
candidates should understamd how to deal with Algebra in sets. This is one of the areas the Exam always test. You must throughly master this area to score signioficantly on the topic

(iii) Numbers in Algebra
You might be required to find the 'value' of the universal set or any of the subsets. You must be in a position to know how to find n(s) and n(universal) given certain conditions

(iv) shading the Venn Diagram
Know the parts of the Venn diagram and what each part represent in sets. Many questions from both papers  test this area often

NB: There are video tutorials, lesson notes and an ebook on these areas.
For more information, WhatsApp +263 733 796 118 

Two most ignored concepts on Locus

Locus is a very important topic in Mathematics, Zimsec syllabus. it contributes more than 8% of final exam mark and is now being tested in all the papers. Candidates ought to continually practice loci until the final exam exam to perfect their skills and garner more marks in both papers.

however, many candidates focus on basic construction of angles and shapes. there are more than 6 concepts that are tested on locus
1) construction of angles
2) construction of a shape
3) locus of equidistant points
4) bisection of line and angle
5) point that creates a shape of equal area
6) shading parts that are closer or larger

Candidates should also know these two concepts.

7) incircle
8) circumcircle

These concepts can be tested directly or indirectly and are constructed from bisections of angles and shape sides.


Do you need an ebook that explains these concepts in detail?
Request on WhatsApp +263 733 796 118

Paper 2 Regulars: General/Consumer Arithmetic

Paper 2 Regulars: General/Consumer Arithmetic

this is one of the most ignored topics during exam preps. Most students and teachers overlook some of the areas tested in the second paper on the topic.

This topic includes ratios, mixtures, proportion, percentages and fractions, basic mensuration and a bit of algebra.

The questions give a scenario that might involve use of paint on a given area or sharing of a quantity. Unfortunately, most students miss this.

The other area is that of calculating discounts , past or future cost or prices of a given item.

How to master the topic.

The most critical areas of the topic(s) can be mastered by acquiring following skills
* formation and/or use of equations
* use of ratio to find costs, prices or allocations
* use of percentages principles in calculating costs and prices.
* application of fractions to the given scenario

The value of questions

This topic might contribute between 2 - 6% of the Exam, that is 3 to 12 marks in paper 2. It is important to master this topic to score more in both papers

Writing Exams this Nov?
Sign up for free revision notes and past exam questions with solution (PDF only)
# watch videos on our YouTube channel
# You can also register for our online tutorials to receive video lessons, daily exercises and weekly tests on the topic

WhatsApp +263 733 796 118

Focus On Locus

Locus
Loci is a very important part of the syllabus and contributes much to your final exam score.
Many people who try to avoid this topic eventually miss an A. Its considered a score booster.

In this post, I will explain few tips on the topic that were discovered from previous examinations

1. Two main angle-constructions.
Loci is centered on two main angles which are 90° and 60°. Candidates must be accurate in constructing these angles since all angles are built upon these principles.
Angles that uses the principles are 120°, 135°, 150°, 45°, 30° to name a few.

#2 Shapes.
Candidates must be familiar with properties if different shapes like Kite, Parallelogram, rhombus, Trapezium and Triangles.
Zimsec complicates these questions by introducing unpopular shapes into a loci question.

#3 Bearing
Loci can be tested using bearing principles but the constructions are based on two main angles we discussed before.

The major tip here is to remember that bearing is measured from the North in case of a three-figure bearing


#4 Using compasses for shape completion
At times the loci question can provide an angle and all dimensions of a shape.
In this case they will be testing your ability to use compasses to complete a shape.

#5 Bisecting
Loci questions test bisection of lines and angles

#6 Distance from a point/Line.

You can be tested construct locus of points from a given point, say A. You must be able to construct a circle with that point as the center.

You must also be able to construct parallel lines if locus of points distant from a line is tested.

#7 Label your work.
Many candidates forget to label their constructions , dimensions and points. It is imperative to label all your work..

These are some of the few tips on this topic.

NB: There are videos which cover all 10 tips in the topic. If you are interested Contact the tutor on WhatsApp +263733796118.

Don't forget to follow on twitter @adchakara

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Online Tutorials Update: New Subject Added

Our online tutorials for Zimsec syllabi continues to grow with many students and candidates joining class of our experienced and qualified virtual tutors. From February, only Maths and Accounting classes were available for Ordinary Level students

Beginning yesterday, Commerce class is live and open for registration. The major tools used in these tutorials are Illustrative, step by step video lessons, exercises and tests. The methods are proving to be effective since students are exposed to real world examples through videos of trade and commerce. This is an advantage to students who are not familiar with business and commerce activities usually centralized in urban areas.

Like a traditional class, the virtual class will receive at least 4 lessons per week, two exercises and end-of-the-topic test. The tutor will be often available on whatsapp for enquiries and for students assistance if they have any questions. Past paper questions will also be used in exercises and tests.

Zimsec and Cambridge tutorials will continue to add more subjects until June and these includes Intergrated Science, Business Studies, geography and History. This is one of our major step to become a complete online school for home schooling and online learning for students in Zimbabwe and the region.

For more details, you can contact:
WhatsApp +263 733 796 118

Greenbook App from Zimapp Review

Zimapps, the developers of the Provisional License Test app have ventured into Educational apps. Their website notes that they have realized the potential of Edu-apps after massive market acceptance  of their Provisional Test Preparation app. Zimapps 'Green book" app is now available for download on their website.

I managed to download and install their apk file on my android device and perused through the apps contents. As a MATHS teacher I was just checking the arrangement and presentation of their questions. I expected to see past papers in pdf format and posible solution just like a hard copy green book.

Android App for Zimsec Video Lessons 

Features

The App comes at a time where many Zimbabweans in the diaspora and working class are registering for subjects like Maths, English and Science. The development of such apps provides conviniency for many since they can't buy the hard copies in the diaspora or just the portability conviniency.

DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW

Question Presentation

I was impressed by how the presentation of questions and posible answers. The questions are in large fonts and fit to screen. This is more convinient to students who use very small screens and those with poor sight. They can at least read the questions even from a distant.

Every question or part of the question displays on its page and there are three buttons for 'prev' , 'next' and 'solution'. This gives a student an opportunity to first attempt the questions and then click the 'possible solution' button to view the answers. 

Subjects 

On opening the app it gives you the option to chose for O Level or A Level. If you click the O level button there are currently 4 subjects with the past papers, which are Mathematics, English, Commerce and History. 

The Maths section has papers from June 2008 up to November 2014. I also checked the commerce section and there was only paper 1 for November 2014. I couldn't open the english section. The history had few papers also. 

The A level option can't open and displays the message "coming soon" 

The solutions come in a different color. The questions are in black and when you click the solution option, the possible answers come in purple/blue color. 

Areas that needs improvement 

1. There are no workings for the Maths solution.

The are just answers when you click the solution option. This makes it difficult for the student to understand how to work out the problem to arrive at the suggested solution. It's the same weakness that the Greenbook has and students find it difficult study on their own. 

2. The payment procedure is very long. They Intergrated Ecocash and Telecash wallets among other forms of payments. On Ecocash, the app directs you straight to the dialler but on TELECASH they provide a procedure which needs you to exit the app and message them at some point. 

There is need to adopt online payment systems like Paynow which accepts all debit and credit cards, including mobile wallets. 

3. On opening the App, it requires your name and surname, and the name of your school. 

There are many private candidates who can use the app than students in schools. The option might act as a restriction to the school going candidates only. 

NB: This review is based on personal experience with the app and have no strings attached to Zimapps. If you have any questions concerning the app, enquire on their website.

Graphical Functions: Exam Areas

Graphical function option is one of the easiest and most rewarding option in the second paper of Ordinary Level Maths Exam. There are just few things tested on the graph, some of which are too basic.

The major areas tested on the topic are
1. Function Table - filling up gaps
2. Drawing the graph using the function table
3. Finding a gradient of the curve by drawing a tangent at any given point.
4. Drawing a line that cuts the graph, given the equation
5. Finding the roots of the equations
6. Area under a curve
7. Translation of a curve.

There are few things to note on each question.

In the next few post, I will discuss how to easily attempt each question and garner highest possible score.

Which Section B options do you think are cheaper than this? 

New Tricks For Paper 2

New Tricks for MATHS Paper 2 

The new way of answering paper 2 poses some challenges and benefits to candidates. As we discussed before that Zimsec follows the footprints of Cambridge standards, the new paper structure is now more similar to syllabus D of Cambridge. 

The new paper provides candidates with answer spaces like the first paper. This might have been caused by the need to upgrade assessment methods and adoption of e-marking. The paper structure remains the same, with section A having compulsory 6 questions and 3 options in section B.

The second paper is well know for the complexity of its questions and how it tests principles. The most popular topics in Paper 2 include Loci, Graphical topics like Statistics, linear Programming, algebraic functions, transformation. Bearing and Vectors in Two dimensions are also part of the set. The most avoided topics by both teachers and students are Mensuration and Transformation. Unfortunately Transformation is now part of the first paper.

What are the implication of the new structure?

1. Reduced Complexity of the question.

The most complex questions were on Graphs where the candidates were required to draw a graph on a full page given the scale and function table. The answering space now limits the complexity of the questions. They must suit questions to allow simple and short graphical answers that fit into the drawn graphs and scales. 

What to expect:

- interpretation of a graphical function

Candidates are likely to be tested on the meaning, equation or identification of graph features. A graphical function will be provided and then candidates required to identify items like type of transformations,  calculation of the gradient and percentiles and quartiles.

2. Simple locus. Some parts drawn

Like the Loci usually tested in paper 1, the paper 2 question is likely to be tested in parts. A base line can be already drawn for the candidates, making it easy to know the direction of angles and sides. The only challenge is when bearing is included in the question.

Shorter measurements and scales are likely to be tested.

3. Non-graphical Questions likely to be Complex

Since questions on graph will take a large space, the simplification of questions results in fewer marks being provided. This pushes more marks to non-graphical questions. They are likely to be complex to compensate the marks. 

Sections B questions are likely to be a mixture of graphs and non-graphical questions. More focus need to be on calculations part of the topics or compensatory topics like variation, matrices, quadratic equations and similarity.

Mathematics Whatsapp Classes

Mathematics Whatsapp Classes are starting on the beginning of March.  We are trying to improve convenience of online learning through a mobile messenger.

The class is easy to join at anytime. What the student only need to do is to join a whatsapp broadcast List of the tutor. 

Messages,  video tutorials,  illustrations and exercises are received by the subscribed students only.

The major topics for March include the following :

1. Scale
2. Similarity
3. Symmetry
4. Time, Speed and Distance
5. inequalities
6. Volume and Density
7. Estimations and Approximations
8. simple Interest

If you are interested in joining the class follow link  https://m.facebook.com/groups/718907334864332?view=permalink&id=975189422569454&refid=18&_ft_=qid.6253572079134038974%3Amf_story_key.975189422569454%3Atl_objid.975189422569454#footer_action_list