Study Guide

DISCRETE MATHEMATICS
NB: These sheets were written by experienced teachers and are intended as a
GUIDE only.

1 Be prepared to complete at least two homework sessions, one assessment

preparation and one examination practice session every week.

2 Don’t WASTE time:

5 minutes getting ready
+ 10 minutes reading and “thinking” about a question
+ 10 minutes doing a question (while daydreaming)
+ 5 minutes winding down
= 5 minutes of effective work and 25 minutes wasted
Concentrate fully to achieve 5 minutes of effective work that will save 25 minutes
for other activities.

3 Organise your file as follows:

• notes given by your teacher;
• notes prepared by you (things you must know);
• exercises with corrections in red pen;
• assignments; and
• examination practice.

4 Work EFFECTIVELY:
• Homework Sessions - two 30 minute sessions per week:
o
Minute 1: Highlight the important (new) concepts in the
teacher’s notes.
Minute 2-20: Complete the assigned exercises.
Minute 21: Mark the completed exercises.
Minute 22-28: Redo those examples that are incorrect –
why you made those errors!
Minute 29: Add the things learnt from your mistakes to your
notes.
Minute 30: Review the exercises and highlight the
questions that are most likely to appear in an
exam
NEVER spend more than 5 minutes working on a question.
o If you need more than 5 minutes – you need teacher help!
o Show your teacher your working out so that the problem area can
be identified and corrected – learn this part so that it does not stop
you in the future.
• Assignment Preparation Session – one 25 minute session per week:
o

Discrete Mathematics SG Page 1

 Minute 1: Read the assignment and highlight the key
words – identify what the question asks you to
do.
Minute 2-15: Do the assignment question.
Minute 16-20: Place (in red on your solution) your thinking,
reasoning, working, explanation, hints and
notes.
Minute 21-25: Review the assignment question and predict the
test question that will be asked.
Assignments are set to help you prepare for tests and the TEE.
Completing the assignment and the answer will not help you
pass the test – the working and understanding will ensure that
you pass the test.
• Examination Practice Session – one 45 minute session per week:
{NB: Exam questions are based on the most important questions from the text
book (which you highlighted in the homework sessions); assignment
questions; and previous exam questions. Select questions from previous
exams worth a total of 30 marks!}
o
Minute 1-30: Complete the selected questions under exam
conditions:
 30 minute time limit.
 Work hard and fast.
 Place yourself under exam-type pressure
and HANDLE IT!
Minute 31-32: Mark the questions and note where and
you went wrong.
Minute 33-43: Redo those questions that are incorrect (do
these under exam conditions).
Minute 44-45: Add the things that you have learned to your
notes.
Don’t make the same mistake twice!
o Be confident of your mathematical ability.
o Concentrate and improve your examination techniques.
5 Mathematics:
• Discrete mathematics is about recognising patterns.
• Problem solving section ties all sections of Discrete mathematics together.
• You can use any mathematical technique within a question unless a particular
technique is specified.
• Plan your method of attack before starting the question.
6 Test and Exams:
• You will achieve your best performance by working constantly and steadily
throughout the year.
• You will improve your performance by learning from a mistake and not just
repeating it over and over.
Studying for Exams:
o Review your notes and prepare your two A4 sheets of paper.
o Practice a few questions that you are less confident on.
o Plan your method of attack for the exam:
 Thorough preparation and prediction of question types will ensure that

Discrete Mathematics SG Page 2

 the exam contains no surprises.
 Confidence and exam techniques will ensure your maximum
performance.
o Relax and remember that your marks will reflect the preparation that you
have done throughout the year.

Discrete Mathematics SG Page 3