Oxford MAT 2013/2014

It is (b).

Could you look at G again because I still think b is the answer.

It is (b).

Would you mind explaining why?

It's entirely possible I'm wrong but this is my reasoning.

The standard pythagoras is a^2+b^2 = c^2

In this case, instead of there being a square, there is a triangle instead. We assume then each value takes:

0.5 (a^2), 0.5(b^2) and 0.5(c^2).

To me it would seem logical that you could double each value to make the ultimate equation the same.

ie I would have thought that

k(a^2+b^2) = k(c^2)

Thank you.

Would you mind explaining why?

Would you mind explaining why?

It's entirely possible I'm wrong but this is my reasoning.

The standard pythagoras is a^2+b^2 = c^2

In this case, instead of there being a square, there is a triangle instead. We assume then each value takes:

0.5 (a^2), 0.5(b^2) and 0.5(c^2).

To me it would seem logical that you could double each value to make the ultimate equation the same.

ie I would have thought that

k(a^2+b^2) = k(c^2) (assuuming k does not equal 0)

Thank you.

I can't confirm this but I'm fairly sure you can't just call the variable x^10 a constant when you have a "quadratic " in x.

I had a look at some STEP months ago
my current strategy is to do all 8 MAT papers before wednesday
and trinity college

you applying for cambridge too?

I agree with all your MC answers. K you have the right answer, 0.2. But you would do 3*1/13*12/13*12/13.. because you don't know which card will be the King.

For 3.b), the slope (gradient) of the line in the question is a, so the slope of the perpendicular line will be -1/a. Not sure where you got m=1 from. for c), the algebra is quite messy. You're trying to find the two tangents to the circle x^2 + y^2 =1 (in order for the perpendicular distance from the origin to equal one) which go through the point (1,2). for d) try looking at the difference in areas you have worked out

I have some friends in Trinity, apparently the most of them there receive some scholarships. Months ago I would be answering yes myself, but I decided to go for Oxford because of the joint course with Philosophy

I did all the papers but still don't feel confident at all... After the STEP practicing, you must be finding the MAT really easy by now

Hello there! Actually I'm studying something other than the British A-levels too! Yep! Let's practise more! Guess I need a bit of luck too

Okay, I want to take a look at STEP papers, but I hardly know much about it. What's the order of difficulty? III>II>I?

Yeah, these were my thoughts too. Most likely luck that it happened to lead to the right answer.


Was wondering what people's thoughts were on the 2012 paper. Is it just me, or does (parts of) '12 seem uniquely difficult?

That's right. But apparently it's also because STEP III includes a bit more stuff.

Can anyone link me to some hard MAT level/style coordinate geometry questions? They're usually what I do worst on and they come up a lot so any practice would be helpful

Looking at STEP III 2013. The problems are nice!

try www.drfrostmaths.com, see Oxbridge section

good luck on wednesday

I'll have a look right now Which part are you doing? Those on pure maths?

So I guess that you're an international applicant? Or are you doing the IB in the UK

I'll wish you good luck in advance then But as far as I've seen you're doing really well(scoring 80+)