GCSE Mathematics Study Group 2023-2024

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Cheers for the answer - that's reassuring. As long which approximation of pi to be used is stated in the event of it being a non-calc Q, all should be fine, as that was where my uncertainty lied. Thanks again.

No worries, rest assured they don’t leave things unspecified in the questions if it’s needed.

Reply 61

janet_123

hey, does anyone know the difference between an exponential and reciprocal graph. they look the exact same and i can't differentiate between either of them. i would appreciate a response ☺

Reply 62

unequivocal

Original post by janet_123

hey, does anyone know the difference between an exponential and reciprocal graph. they look the exact same and i can't differentiate between either of them. i would appreciate a response ☺

The equation of an exponential is y = ab^x while the equation for a reciprocal is y = a/x or f(x) = a/x

You’ll also notice in exponential graph it increases basically to infinity, for example if you continue squaring a number it will get greater and greater.

It’s like a smooth curve that starts off less steep and then just gets increasingly steeper.

It represents increase and decay, this can be of a population, capital etc

Also, I could be wrong, but usually it doesn’t pass through 0,0 , so In that way it’s similar to reciprocal graphs

However reciprocal graphs don’t represent increase/ decay.

Reciprocal graphs have two curves that are quadratics and are reciprocals to each other, most often in gcse they are in opposite quadrants

When y = a/x a is a constant

An exponential graph on has one curve that can touch the x and y axis , a reciprocal graph cannot do this, it can get really close to both the x and y axis but it will never touch

Reply 63

mqb2766

Original post by janet_123

hey, does anyone know the difference between an exponential and reciprocal graph. they look the exact same and i can't differentiate between either of them. i would appreciate a response ☺

A basic reciprocal has asymptotes at x=0 and y=0 as the equation is
xy = a
so no solution when either x or y is zero. It lies in quadrant 1 and quadrant 3. In quadrant 1 it is a decaying curve passing through the point (sqrt(a),sqrt(a))

A negative exponential is something like
y = ae^(-x)
so it decays like a reciprocal but when x=0 it passes through y=a (rather than being a vertical asymptote). Its always positive so lies in quadrant 1 and 2. y=0 is a horizontal asymptote again, but there is no vertical asymptote.

So something like
https://www.desmos.com/calculator/1irihlsyi3

(edited 6 months ago)

Reply 64

Pwca

TSR Community Staff

Hey everyone, I'm trying to gather together all the best online maths revision resources in one place here - come along and comment to let others know what you recommend :smile:

Reply 65

janet_123

Original post by mqb2766

A basic reciprocal has asymptotes at x=0 and y=0 as the equation is
xy = a
so no solution when either x or y is zero. It lies in quadrant 1 and quadrant 3. In quadrant 1 it is a decaying curve passing through the point (sqrt(a),sqrt(a))
A negative exponential is something like
y = ae^(-x)
so it decays like a reciprocal but when x=0 it passes through y=a (rather than being a vertical asymptote). Its always positive so lies in quadrant 1 and 2. y=0 is a horizontal asymptote again, but there is no vertical asymptote.
So something like
https://www.desmos.com/calculator/1irihlsyi3

Thank you for your explanation!

Reply 66

janet_123

Original post by unequivocal

The equation of an exponential is y = ab^x while the equation for a reciprocal is y = a/x or f(x) = a/x
You’ll also notice in exponential graph it increases basically to infinity, for example if you continue squaring a number it will get greater and greater.
It’s like a smooth curve that starts off less steep and then just gets increasingly steeper.
It represents increase and decay, this can be of a population, capital etc
Also, I could be wrong, but usually it doesn’t pass through 0,0 , so In that way it’s similar to reciprocal graphs
However reciprocal graphs don’t represent increase/ decay.
Reciprocal graphs have two curves that are quadratics and are reciprocals to each other, most often in gcse they are in opposite quadrants
When y = a/x a is a constant
An exponential graph on has one curve that can touch the x and y axis , a reciprocal graph cannot do this, it can get really close to both the x and y axis but it will never touch

Thank you!

Reply 67

K...,

Is there a possibility that a non-calc Q would require you to work out the square root of a decimal? Eg. an upcoming topic in an imminent Yr 10 assessment is working out the volume of a cone - some Qs do not outright give you the height, so you need to work it out using Pythagoras. My area of concern lies around the fact that we have not been taught how to work out square roots of a decimal, & some random questions online without specifying whether calc or non-calc do have this as a step acting as a requisite to reach the answer.

Reply 68

haleemazaira

Original post by Pwca

Welcome to the GCSE Mathematics Study Group! :hello:

This is where you can chat with other students studying the same subjects as you and support each other as you head towards your exams :grouphugs:

You can post any useful tips and resources that you come across, offer support to others, share your successes, or just have moan when it gets tough! :yes:

Just remember, it’s against the site rules to ask for or offer any copyrighted papers, or to take conversations off-site to do these things. Posts that break these rules will be removed.
A few possible ice breaker questions are:
What exam board are you with?
What do you enjoy most about this subject/ course?
What area do you struggle with in this subject/ course?

Specifications

Good luck with the next few months. Remember, ask for help, support where you can and together we can do this! :yeah:

hey! i do edexcel and can i go from a 6 to an 8 in the time we have left?

Reply 69

Jlcobham8

Hey all, I have undergraduate and masters degree in Mathematics, I received an A* in GCSE and A level MathsMore than happy to assist you in anyway possible before the exams (advice etc) feel free to pm me x

Reply 70

Cleverclog1232

Original post by dmedz

Any good maths websites?? For grade 9

Corbett Maths
Math Genie
BBC Bitesize

Reply 71

Gritik Verma

Original post by dmedz

Any good maths websites?? For grade 9

try doing all the hardest grade 9 question search on google for hardest gcse maths higher paper, try doing A* maths gcse paper and all the grade 9 questions and hardest grade 9 questions that have come up so far and try to focus on the area where you always lack in getting marks