SPM Mathematics (1449)

Format of the question papers

Paper 1 40 objective questions. Compulsory to answer all the

(1¼ hours) (40 marks) questions.

• Scope:

All topics covered in lower secondary school Mathematics which are relevant in upper
secondary Mathematics.
All topics covered in Form 4 and 5.

• Levels of difficulty:

easy : medium : difficult = 5 : 3 : 2

Paper 2 Section A – 11 questions Compulsory to answer all the questions.

(2½ hours) (52 marks) Answers are to be written in the space
provided in the question paper.
Section B – 5 questions Answer 4 out of 5.
(48 marks) Answers are to be written in the space
provided in the question paper.

• Scope:

All topics covered in lower secondary school Mathematics which are relevant in upper
secondary Mathematics.
All topics covered in Form 4 and 5.

• Levels of difficulty:

easy : medium : difficult = 5 : 3 : 2

The use of scientific calculators:

From the year 2003, candidates for the SPM examinations are allowed to use non-
programmable scientific calculators.

Analysis of the questions according to the levels

Form Paper 1 Paper 2

1, 2, 3 33% 14%
4, 5 67% 86%

1
Paper 1  
18 Number bases  
 
No Topics 03 04 05 06 Graph of
Algebraic 19    
1     Functions
Expressions  
Subjects of 20 Matrices  
2      
Formulae

Algebraic  
3     21 Variation  
fractions  

Linear
4     22 Bearings    
Equations
Linear The Earth as a 
5
 23   
   Sphere 
Inequalities 
 
6 Indices  
 

7 Polygons   

 
8 Transformation  
 
  
9 Statistics 
  


  
10 Standard Form 
  


 
 
11 Set  
 
 
 
12 Straight Lines  
 


13 Probability   


14 Circles    

 
15 Trigonometry  
 

Angles of

16 Elevation &   
Depression 
Three
17 Dimensional    
Problems

2
Paper 2 7 Straight Lines    

No Topics 03 04 05 06 Quadratic
8    
Equations
Simultaneous
1     9 Probability    
Equations
Solids 10 Matrices    
(Volumes & Gradient of a
2    
Surface 11 graph & Area    
Areas) under a graph
Length of Graphs of
3 Arcs & Areas     12    
Functions
of Sections
Transformat-
Set / 13    
4     ions
Inequalities
14 Statistics    
Mathematical
5     Plans and
Reasoning 15    
Elevations
Three
6 Dimensional     The Earth as a
16    
Problems Sphere

Topics covered in Form 1, 2 and 3

1 Algebra Expressions

Questions normally involve expansion and factorisation, as Important Formulae:

in the following examples. (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
(2x – 5y)(3x – y) = 6x2 – 17xy + 5y2 (a – b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2
(a + b)(a – b) = a2 – b2
4p2 – 9y2 = (2p – 3q)(2p + 3q)
Example: (SPM04-K1) 3x(x – 2y) − (3x − y)2 =
• It only involves moving the
2 Subjects of Formulae terms.
• No difficult calculations
Formulae given normally involve two or three variables,
involved.
and it is required to make one of the variables the subjects
of the formulae: • May involve squaring or
finding square roots.
p 5 p −1
Example: (SPM03-K1) If = , then n =
3 n
3 Algebraic Fractions
Determine the common denominator by
Adding and / or subtracting algebraic fractions. finding the LCM of the denominators
before adding / subtracting.
h +3 2 −h
Example: (SPM03-K1) − =
3h h

3
4 Linear Equations

Solve linear equations in one unknown.

Example: (SPM04-K1) If 3k − 4 = 5(2 – k), then k = What are the meanings of

the signs >, ≥ , <, ≤ ?
5 Linear Inequalities If you are not sure, then
it will be difficult to
Solve linear inequalities in one unknown. choose the correct
answer among:
Example: (SPM03-K1) List all integers x which satisfy both the A 9, 10
3x B 10, 11
inequalities 2x + 1 ≥ 19 and < 9. C 9, 10, 11
4 D 10, 11, 12

6 Indices

Simplify and / or evaluate expressions involving indices. Make sure that

the correct laws
of indices are
( )
1
6 2 2
m × 9e used.
Example: (SPM04-K1) Simplify .
(m e )
1
3 6 3

7 Polygons

Questions on polygons normally involve finding angles of various polygons (triangles,

quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, …).

Example: (SPM03-K1) PQRSTU is a regular hexagon. PUV and QPW are straight lines.
The value of x + y =

P
• You must be familiar with common
Q W
polygons (triangles, quadrilaterals,
74° pentagon, hexagon, …).
• What are the characteristics of regular
R y° polygons?
U • The sum interior angles = (n – 2)× 180°
x° V • The sum of exterior angles = 360°
S T

4
8 Transformations

Questions in Paper 1 normally involve finding the image or object under a single transformation
(translation, reflection, rotation, enlargement).

Example: (SPM03-K1) The diagram shows seven points on a square grid. Point Q is the image of
point P under a reflection.

K
•
Determine the
P• L
• axis of the
reflection.
N M
• •
H
•
Q
•

9 Statistics

Statistics questions in Paper 1 normally involve pictograph, pie chart and bar chart.

10 Linear simultaneous equations

Solve linear simultaneous equations in two unknowns, using the substitution or elimination
method. This normally appears in Paper 2.

Example: (SPM04-K2) Find the values of p and q that satisfy the following simultaneous linear
equations: ½p – 2q =13
and 3p + 4q = −2. [4 marks]

11 Solids (Volume and Surface Area) Formulae are

Questions normally involve common solids like prisms, given in the
cylinders, pyramids, spheres, … . question paper.
Example: (SPM04-K2) The diagram shows a composite solid,
made form a cone and a cylinder. The diameter of the cylinder
and the diameter of the base of the cone is 7 cm. The volume of
22
the solid is 231 cm3. Using π = , calculate the height, in
7 4 cm
cm, of the cone. [4 marks]

12 Lengths of Arcs and Areas of Sectors

Formulae are
given in the
question paper.
5
Questions normally involve perimeter and area of the diagram given. So, both lengths of arcs and
areas of sectors are involved.

Example: (SPM04-K2) In the diagram, PQ and RS are

two arcs, centre O. RQ = ST = 7 cm and PO = 14 cm.
22 R S
Using π = , calculate
7 Q T
(a) the area, in cm2, of the shaded region,
(b) perimeter, in cm, of the whole diagram. 60°
[6 marks] O
P