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