Overview of the Junior Cert Honours Maths Paper

Mr. Roche

Paper 1

Question 1: Arithmetic;Percentages, Profit and Loss, possible currency calculations and Income Tax/Tax Credits calculations. Speed, distance, time. Approximation/rounding off.

Question 2: Sets and a test as to how much you know about your calculator. BEMDAS. More arithmetic.

Question 3:Algebra. A bit of everything. (i) Solve an equation, (ii) write one thing in terms of another (iii) solve a quadratic equation (with formula). Indices. Word problem involving simultaneous equations.

Question 4:More Algebra The emphasis here may be on factors and a word problem involving a quadratic equation.

Question 5:More algebra, and the graph of a quadratic function and some questions based on the graph.

Question 6: Inequalities and simultaneous equations. They also ask some questions on a given graph of a quadratic function. Other algebra as above.

Key skills on paper 1

• Use Calculator/BEMDAS• Percentages/interest• Income tax• Speed, distance, time• Factors (4 types)• Long division• Solve equations (3 types)• Word problems

• Sets• Graph quadratic• Questions on graph• Changing formula subject• Use quadratic formula• Indices• Approximation

Paper 2

Question 1: Area and Volume.They will definitely ask a question about the perimeter. The rest of the question will be based on Cones, cylinders and spheres.

Question 2: Coordinate Geometry of the Line.You will be tested on you knowledge of and ability to use the (four) Coordinate Geometry Formula.

Question 3: Geometry.This will be the main geometry QuestionThey will ask you to prove a theorem more than likely using congruent triangles. You may also be asked to construct a triangle or a parallelogram.

Question 4: Geometry.It is likely that in this question the will ask you to prove one of the last 5 theorems.

Question 5: TrigonometryYou can expect a lot of the question to be based on a right angled triangle. Use of the Sine rule will also be examined.

Question 6: Statistics.This should be the easiest question on the paper ie Bar Charts, Pie Charts, Histograms, Mean, Median of a frequency table.

Key skills on paper 2

• Use Area/volume formula (pg. 7)

• Co-ordinate geometry (5 formulae)

• Use Geometry rules, congruence• Constructions• Prove 10 theorems • Trigonometry right angled (SOH CAH TOA, Pythagoras)

• Trigonometry non-right angled (Sine Rule, Area of triangle)

• Statistics (charts, mean, histogram, cumulative frequency)