The 2012 STEP Results Discussion Thread

Cheers. Do you know where I can get the answers or can you just tell me if this is right. For number 1 I got Monday. And btw was 1992 a lot easier because it took me 15-20 minutes to work that one out :redface:

And I will have a go at the other questions but I should probably revise first; still got GCSEs.

EDIT: On number 5 when it says po(x) - does that mean f(x). Can you explain the notation in that question if you get a chance. You an do it wheneverr - obviously you're busy, and I probably won't have enough time to attempt them today anyway.Cheers :smile:

Answers of all years - http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1310974

Yes question number 5 essentially means f(x), they've just denoted the polynomials by po(x) and p1(x) to save writing g(x) or f(x) or h(x), or because p(x) essentially denotes a polynomial, and since po(x) and p1(x) are polynomials they thought it would be better to denote it by p(x) with a subscript.

Reply 1421

twig

Original post by Aurum

It's an indefinite integral, step 1 1988 q9,.

So surely such substitution is not valid? I may be missing something really obvious...

Reply 1422

ian.slater

12

Original post by GreenLantern1

I am in year 11 and want to do STEP in hope of going to Cambridge/Warwick or others, so could you please tell me ta few STEP questions that appear to be of GCSE ability. I know C1 and C2 as well, and have done S1; so slightly advanced stuff wouldn't be a problem. Also, I know about modular arithmetic since I learnt it when doing the Intermediate Maths mentoring scheme, so of you could highlight any questions at my ability I would be very grateful.

I'm not sure I would recommend STEP yet. My view is that your time would be better spent on even tougher problems that don't need the A level material you have yet to reach. Have you looked at stuff off the Senior Mentoring scheme? Or BMO1/BMO2 problems? That should stretch your problem-solving skills without having to learn more technical stuff.

Reply 1423

GreenLantern1

Original post by Aurum

Answers of all years - http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1310974

Yes question number 5 essentially means f(x), they've just denoted the polynomials by po(x) and p1(x) to save writing g(x) or f(x) or h(x), or because p(x) essentially denotes a polynomial, and since po(x) and p1(x) are polynomials they thought it would be better to denote it by p(x) with a subscript.

Cheers and I will use that page then :smile:

Reply 1424

Dog4444

10

Original post by ian.slater

I'm not sure I would recommend STEP yet. My view is that your time would be better spent on even tougher problems that don't need the A level material you have yet to reach. Have you looked at stuff off the Senior Mentoring scheme? Or BMO1/BMO2 problems? That should stretch your problem-solving skills without having to learn more technical stuff.

Agreed. Especially on number theory side of it. If you manage to do BMO2 level number theory stuff, you will destroy any STEP's NT question.

Reply 1425

twig

Original post by Dog4444

Agreed. Especially on number theory side of it. If you manage to do BMO2 level number theory stuff, you will destroy any STEP's NT question.

BMO1 NT is more than enough.

Reply 1426

Farhan.Hanif93

18

Original post by GreenLantern1

And for 3i) i got 4. What is the difference between 3i and 3ii. What does the notation then mean?

Suppose

f(x)\geq 0

for

x\in A_i

and

f(x)<0

for

x\in B_j

(0\leq i \leq n, 0\leq j \leq m

where m,n are natural numbers) then

Unparseable latex formula:

|f(x)| = \begin{Bmatrix} f(x) & \mathrm{if} & x\in A_i \\ -f(x) & \mathrm{if} & x\in B_j

\sin (-x) = -\sin x

so what can you deduce about the integrals in part (i) and (ii)?

Your answer for 3i) is correct.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 1427

GreenLantern1

Original post by Farhan.Hanif93

Suppose

f(x)\geq 0

for

x\in A_i

and

f(x)<0

for

x\in B_j

(0\leq i \leq n, 0\leq j \leq m

where m,n are natural numbers) then

Unparseable latex formula:

|f(x)| = \begin{Bmatrix} f(x) & \mathrm{if} & x\in A_i \\ -f(x) & \mathrm{if} & x\in B_j

\sin (-x) = -\sin x

so what can you deduce about the integrals in part (i) and (ii)?

Your answer for 3i) is correct.

They are the same :redface:

So, the answer is again 4?

Reply 1428

bananarama2

Original post by twig

BMO1 NT is more than enough.

I can't do number theory at all *sniff. I've looked a BMO problems and run away.

On a side note, does anyone know any good maths blogging sites. i.e LaTeX enabled?

Reply 1429

Farhan.Hanif93

18

Original post by GreenLantern1

They are the same :redface:

So, the answer is again 4?

Yep.

Reply 1430

Dirac Spinor

10

Original post by wcp100

I can't do number theory at all *sniff. I've looked a BMO problems and run away.

On a side note, does anyone know any good maths blogging sites. i.e LaTeX enabled?

wordpress does as long as you download the plugin

Reply 1431

bananarama2

Original post by ben-smith

wordpress does as long as you download the plugin

Thanks I'll try it if the LaTeX addon for blogger doesn't work.

I've called it: Simple Harmonic Blog :cool:

Reply 1432

twig

Original post by wcp100

I can't do number theory at all *sniff. I've looked a BMO problems and run away.

On a side note, does anyone know any good maths blogging sites. i.e LaTeX enabled?

I don't think BMOs are a good indicator; some of them require you to spot something which is totally unrelated initially, but later turns out to be vital for the proof. e.g. this years Q5 was made a LOT easier (i.e. near identical to Q1) if you spotted that product of 4 consecutive integers is always 1 less than a square. STEP, on the other hand, gives you hints about what to do (rather than the all or nothing approach), which I prefer.

Reply 1433

bananarama2

Original post by twig

I don't think BMOs are a good indicator; some of them require you to spot something which is totally unrelated initially, but later turns out to be vital for the proof. e.g. this years Q5 was made a LOT easier (i.e. near identical to Q1) if you spotted that product of 4 consecutive integers is always 1 less than a square. STEP, on the other hand, gives you hints about what to do (rather than the all or nothing approach), which I prefer.

Do you do the BMO "for real?" or do you just look for the questions online? I understand what your are saying. From what I have seen, the BMO questions are really open ended. I prefer STEP because it's the type of maths I like, calc. etc...

Reply 1434

Dog4444

10

Original post by twig

I don't think BMOs are a good indicator; some of them require you to spot something which is totally unrelated initially, but later turns out to be vital for the proof.

That's the thing. You should know the tricks and be on a right track.

Nobody saying BMO is a perfect indicator of how you manage STEP's, but there is some correlation anyway.

That's why I mention NT specifically, because it's really helpful to get your head around through BMO NT problems, because they are sort of similar to STEP's.

Reply 1435

twig

Original post by wcp100

Do you do the BMO "for real?" or do you just look for the questions online? I understand what your are saying. From what I have seen, the BMO questions are really open ended. I prefer STEP because it's the type of maths I like, calc. etc...

I actually sat this year's paper, was lucky enough to get a high score (literally did not do a single paper since my yr 12 BMO), qualified and got destroyed by round 2. I did more Olympiad stuff at high school (e.g. before step, knowing what calculus was, etc.), but have not looked at the BMOs properly other than qualifying for it , and cannot be bothered to learn any of the extra content.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 1436

shamika

16

Original post by ian.slater

I'm not sure I would recommend STEP yet. My view is that your time would be better spent on even tougher problems that don't need the A level material you have yet to reach. Have you looked at stuff off the Senior Mentoring scheme? Or BMO1/BMO2 problems? That should stretch your problem-solving skills without having to learn more technical stuff.

I do agree with this, except if you've covered c1/c2 there are questions on that paper that are accessible. As a wider point, I would also recommend the Senior Mentoring scheme which seems like the natural step up (pun not intended)