What is in Durham CEM maths questions

DarkEnergy · Post by **DarkEnergy** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:51 pm

Hi All,

I am in Warwickshire, where the 11 plus is set by Durham CEM. The question is what is actually in the maths questions. I have descriptions elsewhere of short and long questions as well as algebra. I am ok with that, however I would appreciate more detail. For example, what level of algebra? any examples?

Are we talking algebraic fractions or simultaneous equations?

Any help gratefully received.

DarkEnergy · Post by **DarkEnergy** » Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:49 pm

Feeling lonely, so I shall post my own reply.

I have read the sticky by KenR on the Birmingham board that says similar exam by Durham has both algebra and matrices. Is this the same for Warwickshire?

I have just purchased the Bond how to maths book which looks good but neglects algebra and matrices. On a personal note, proper matrices work surely must be too complex for 11 plus, or am I totally off the mark?

yoyo123 · Post by **yoyo123** » Wed Apr 07, 2010 5:43 pm

the matrix questions tend to be more fill in missing bits , rather than proper matrices..

.I only have a vague recollection of 'proper ones bit know they drove me batty! I got to end of a very long question in an exam and had wrong answer..(isn;t it -1 or something?)and had to go back and retrace my steps..
it's a bit like childbirth the mind has ways of coping with pain!

fm · Post by fm » Wed Apr 07, 2010 5:50 pm

Ken was referring to a type of non-verbal called matrices and not to the maths paper.

As far as algebra is concerned, assuming the Warwickshire exam is similar to ours in Birmingham, I would definitely not expect simulataneous equations, and have never gone into such depth with my pupils.

I would teach him/her substitution and possible simple equation solving but nothing more complex e.g.

If x = 3, what is 4x + 6

or if x = 1/2 what is 6x + 3

or x/15 = 1/3, what is x

or

2x + 6 = 12, what is x?

DarkEnergy · Post by **DarkEnergy** » Thu Apr 08, 2010 3:35 pm

Cheers Chaps,

I did find some algebra and matrices in the Bond Maths book but it was basic.

Algebra tends to be as described above and the matrices was a simple version that could be done by substitution such as...

x=2, y=4, and z=6

(x+y) (y+z) =
substitute
(2+4) (4 + 6) =
(6) (10) = 60

Not as bad as I thought!

Thanks. Please feel free to add more if you think it needs it.