Page 1 of 1
What is in Durham CEM maths questions
Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 9:51 pm
by DarkEnergy
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.
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:49 pm
by DarkEnergy
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?
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 5:43 pm
by yoyo123
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!
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 5:50 pm
by fm
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?
Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 3:35 pm
by DarkEnergy
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.