AQA A2 MFP3 Further Pure 3 – 18th May 2016 [Exam Discussion Thread]

You go up in degree of x if present in the complimentary function.

Yep effectively it was polar coordinate geometry so starting by converting the (obvious) Cartesian equation of the line AB into polar form and the rest follows.

Ah the cubic equation looked daunting (I was about to make an equation in $\theta$ but I realised what we want is the value of r and it's easier to work in r) but two things:
-if you had an equation solving calculator it was fine, since it would remind you that 3/2 was a root
-you already knew that 3/2 must be a root.

If the cubic was in trig functions same goes.

Anyone here doing fp4? Is there a thread for that I can't find one.

I find FP3 papers (not the content though) really boring tbh, especially after doing STEP. But I'd agree that 2014/2015 in FP3 were vaguely enjoyable in some parts.
I find FP2 papers a lot more enjoyable.

Agreed, FP2 is much more interesting!

Oh and I don't advise doing FP4 unless you really like Vectors, if you are anything like me, the topics bore me to insanity.


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Agreed, FP2 is much more interesting!

Oh and I don't advise doing FP4 unless you really like Vectors, if you are anything like me, the topics bore me to insanity.


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Which is why I'm incredible happy that they've taken all the horrible linear algebra stuff and shoved it into one 'FP4' module XD.

But still I must do it over summer to
1.Get good at linear algebra since I'm going to be doing a maths course and don't want to fail linear algebra.
2.Actually try to start enjoying linear algebra lol.

FP4 is easy marks though, easiest A2 FP module.

I'm doing fp4! how is revision going for it ?

FP4 is easy marks though, easiest A2 FP module.

How many hours a day is everyone putting in with revision?

Hmmm have you seen the Jan or June 12 papers? Those are some of the toughest FM exams set recently.

None lol. STEP takes priority, although I'm being super lazy with that too all of a sudden...

I do feel sorry for you the people taking step. I tried a step 3 paper and I didn't even know how start in the mechanics section

Nailing every question on papers apart from polar coordinates. Just never seem to know how to answer the questions apart from simple area calculations. Worried it will drag down my mark on Wednesday

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Hope revision is going well, do the papers get harder after 2010 because I've been getting pretty much full marks on the older papers (2006-2010)?

Also can someone clear this up for me because I've heard conflicting responses. How exactly is the A* grade for further maths AQA calculated? I'll list my modules:
AS: C1,C2,S1,FP1,M1,D1
A2: C3,C4,S2,FP3,M2,M3
Basically because only one applied module a year can go with Core maths, M3 must go with Further Maths in terms of calculating your UMS (as would have M1 with core maths AS and M2 with core maths A2) and because of this the further maths grade is calculated as FP3, M3 and the best of S2 and M2. However I've heard some people say that the further maths A* grade is calculated as at least 90% across your best 3 A2 modules (excluding C3,C4) as well as getting a 80% on the further maths bit only.

Might seem like a pointless distinction but I'm not sure about hitting 90% in both FP3 and M3, the second method allows combinations like 90% across M2,M3,S2 and FP3,M2,S2 whereas the first doesn't. Also by any chance does FP1 count as an A2 unit even though I sat it in AS?

Yes they do get harder after 2010. An A* is awarded in normal maths when you get an A overall (480/600 ums) in total and you get at least 180/200 ums for your core 3 and 4 combined. An A* is awarded in Further maths when you get an A overall (480/600 ums) in total and you get 270/300 ums in your A2 modules. AQA will give you your best 2 grades with the modules you have taken. FP1 is an AS exam so no, it won't count towards your A2. Hope that helps.