Linear systems in Year 2: four methods and when to use them
Substitution, equating, elimination and Cramer: which method to use, how to spot an impossible system and three worked exercises for the Year 2 test.
Blog
Notes from the notebook.
Guides, worked examples and study method, translated from our Italian blog.
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The parabola: tangents, pencils and parameter problems
Vertex, tangents with the Δ = 0 condition, the doubling formula and pencils: what comes up in the Year 3 parabola test, with three worked examples.
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PDP vs PEI: the difference and how to request a PDP
What separates the PDP from the PEI in Italian schools, who certifies a DSA, how and when to hand in the certificate, and what your child's plan must contain.
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Radicals and rationalisation: preparing the Year 2 test
Conditions of existence, the invariance property and rationalisation: what comes up in the Year 2 test on radicals, three worked exercises and typical mistakes.
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Work, energy and collisions: the Year 3 December test
The work-energy theorem, conservation with friction and collisions: how to choose the right principle in the Year 3 physics test, with three worked exercises.
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Final year: how to plan the maturità year from September
The stages of the final year, from the first term to the January subjects decree and the June papers, with a plan by track and by subject.
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First maths test in Year 1 of high school: how to prepare
Fractions, powers, monomials and sets: what comes up in the first Year 1 high school maths test, the costliest mistakes and a four-week plan.
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Latin translations in Year 2: no more guessing
Subjunctive, ablative absolute and narrative cum: an eight-step method for translating Latin passages in Year 2, with an annotated passage.
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Year 3 physics: how to prepare for the first test
The first Year 3 physics test, between October and November: what really comes up, typical mistakes on vectors, signs and graphs, and three worked exercises.
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Goniometry and trigonometry in Year 4: the test
Goniometry and trigonometry in Year 4: linear and homogeneous equations, discussing triangles, the November test mistakes and three worked exercises.
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CV and cover letter in English: don't translate from Italian
CVs and cover letters in English that work: structure, action verbs, what to cut from an Italian CV and the mistakes that cost you the interview.
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TOLC score: how it is calculated and when guessing pays off
How the TOLC score works (+1/0/-0.25), the maths of when guessing pays off and how to tell whether you are above the useful threshold for your course.
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Trigonometry for the maturità: the formulas you need
The trigonometry formulas you really need for the maturità: key values, associated angles, addition and double-angle formulas, and how to stop mixing them up.
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Function study step by step: the method that always works
The full 8-step method for studying a function, with a worked example, the typical mistakes and a six-part guide to go deeper into each step.
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Function study, part 1: domain and symmetries
How to find the domain of a function and recognise symmetries: conditions of existence, systems, even and odd functions, worked examples.
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Function study, part 2: intercepts and sign study
Intercepts with the axes and sign study: how to find them, the sign table and the typical cases (rational function, logarithm, exponential).
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Function study, part 3: limits and asymptotes
Limits at the ends of the domain and vertical, horizontal and oblique asymptotes, explained with step-by-step worked examples and no wrong shortcuts.
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Function study, part 4: monotonicity, maxima and minima
The sign of the first derivative, not its value, gives monotonicity and relative and absolute maxima and minima in function study: a guide with worked examples.
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Function study, part 5: concavity and inflection points
How to study concavity and inflection points with the second derivative: the sign rule, classifying inflection points, worked examples and typical mistakes.
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Function study, part 6: the graph and three worked examples
How to assemble the graph in a function study step by step, with a consistency checklist and three complete worked examples.
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In, on, at: the guide to English prepositions for Italians
When to use in, on and at in English: the rules for time and place, the prepositions to learn by heart and the typical mistakes of Italian speakers.
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TIEC Cattolica economics: complete guide to the test
Structure, section thresholds and scoring of the Cattolica Economics TIEC. Why the TOLC-E isn't needed, how to prepare, and a free online practice test.
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Cell and molecular biology for medicine admission tests
Cell, membrane, metabolism, mitosis and meiosis, DNA and protein synthesis: what medicine admission tests really ask and the mistakes that cost points.
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How to prepare for the Bocconi test: a practical guide
How to prepare for the Bocconi test: structure, scoring with omissions, the weight of your school record (45%) and the free mock exam before Early Admission.
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