Silly mistakes

Hello... Would anybody know how to stop making silly mistakes?
I've heard so many people make them and that's the main source of loss of marks.
Please may somebody help? I'd like to get 90%+ in exams- but I feel I won't if I keep making these mistakes.

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Reply 1

TenOfThem

Original post by MathMeister

take more care

Reply 2

username1044970

There's no way other than to consciously make an effort to think about each step. There's no need to rush.

Reply 3

Malgorithm

Even if you're confident in your final answer, always check through every small step if you have time. I used to make stupid mistakes like writing + instead of - (and still do, on occasion), so it really pays to double check your working.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 4

Mr M

Study Forum Helper

Original post by MathMeister

Hello... Would anybody know how to stop making silly mistakes?

Brain transplant?

Reply 5

L'Evil Fish

Use a calculator to check final answers.

Like if finding angles, sub back in to original equation.

If an integral, choose two random limits and input it. Then do it with your answer and see if they match etc

Reply 6

ghostwalker

Original post by Mr M

Brain transplant?

Could make things worse - depends whose brain you get.

Reply 7

davros

Original post by ghostwalker

Could make things worse - depends whose brain you get.

Imagine you went for a brain transplant and you got the brain from one of those girls from Educating Yorkshire - one minute you'd be trying to learn definite integration; the next you'd be going around saying "I wanna be an 'airdresser; I don't need to know what 2 pi r times x is".

Reply 8

MathMeister

Original post by L'Evil Fish

Would you possibly know whether this calculator (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0034BAQS8/ref=dra_a_cs_fb_hn_it_P1400_1000?tag=dradisplay0bb-21&ascsubtag=4a251a2ef9bbf4ccc35f97aba2c9cbda)
is allowed in A level maths exams? I do not know whether it goes against the rules about symbolic integration, differentiation and algebra. (Edexcel)

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 9

L'Evil Fish

Original post by MathMeister

I think that's the best one to get. It's the one I use I think

Reply 10

MathMeister

Original post by L'Evil Fish

I think that's the best one to get. It's the one I use I think

So it's not banned for Edexcel? If not-I may get it. So even in fp1 you can use the matrix function?

Reply 11

L'Evil Fish

Original post by MathMeister

So it's not banned for Edexcel? If not-I may get it. So even in fp1 you can use the matrix function?

Yep you can use it

It isn't banned so it's a great one to have

I wish I used it for my exams

Reply 12

MathMeister

Original post by L'Evil Fish

Yep you can use it

It isn't banned so it's a great one to have

I wish I used it for my exams

Do you know if there's a better calc than this one?

Reply 13

L'Evil Fish

Original post by MathMeister

Do you know if there's a better calc than this one?

That one does everything from matrices to complex :smile:

it's the best for what's allowed

Reply 14

Damien_Dalgaard

Original post by MathMeister

That calculator has been asked to **** if it has been allowed.

Get a ti too.

Reply 15

MathMeister

Original post by L'Evil Fish

That one does everything from matrices to complex :smile:

it's the best for what's allowed

Thanks !

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 16

MathMeister

Original post by Damien_Dalgaard

That calculator has been asked to **** if it has been allowed.

Get a ti too.

Why do people need a graphic calculator?

Reply 17

Damien_Dalgaard

Original post by MathMeister

Why do people need a graphic calculator?

oh dear...

says in the name

inb4 valedictorians on tsr tell this valedictorian on tsr, that it isn't necessary

brb cookie

brb brbing

Reply 18

Damien_Dalgaard

Original post by MathMeister

Thanks ever-so much! :smile:

don't mean to be rude.

Sorry if it came off like that.

i have the fx991es and the ti 84 plus c silver edition

both great calculators to have if you can afford to get the ti.

Good luck!

dont rush the papers too :smile:

Reply 19

TVIO

Might I recommend the TI 84 Plus. It *is* quite expensive, but I personally thought even a few extra marks was worth it. If you do get one, learn to use it properly, as it can check/make easier 30-40% of the questions. I've not personally found a way of solving stupid mistakes. Just try to lay it out logically, take up lots of room if necessary and don't rush. Oddly, I tend to make very few mistakes on tougher questions, probably because I consider them more slowly. If you find a magic method be sure to let me know, it'd sure be useful!