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[Strategy] Mathematics : Strategy, Topicwise

Booklist, Sample Answers for UPSC (Mains)
Exam

Study-Plans
RBI (Prelims)RBI
(Written)KAS
(Kashmir)ACIOCAT
(IIM)CPF (Asst.
Commandant)SPIPA
(Gujarat Only)

CSAT (IAS
Prelims)

1. Introduction: Maths as an optional subject

2. General tips for preparation:
3. General tips while attempting the paper:
4. Paper 1: Topicwise Booklist
5. Paper 2: Topicwise Booklist
6. Model Answers for UPSC Maths Paper
Im merely copy pasting the article of Prakash
Rajpurohit (AIR 2/ CSE 2010).

Introduction: Maths as an
optional subject
Before starting with the strategy I would like to
answer a common question: What is the final score
vis--vis correct attempt? It is true that there is heavy
moderation of marks in science subjects especially in
mathematics. But despite that it is possible to score
very high. My final score and correct attempt paper
wise is:
Year

2008

2009

Paper

Paper
I

II

Paper
I

Paper
II

Correct
Attempt
(out of
300)

261

250

300

285

Marks
Received
(after
scaling)

184

206

209

218

In the correct attempt I have counted only those

answers which are absolutely correct. Paper I is
relatively easy so the reduction is huge. Also do not
confuse the term scaling down as only multiplication
by a constant factor (some says scaling is 0.6 or 0.7).
The statistical formulas are more complex and the
subtraction part has larger weightage I guess (seeing
the mark trends of all the students in last 2 years).
competition in maths is very tough, most of the
candidates are from iit or from math background.
scoring here is different from school/college as there
is heavy moderation of marks.

General tips for preparation:

Need of coaching is a subjective matter. I did
not take any.
For maths practice is appropriate word
instead of revision.
While preparing one should not be bothered
about the moderation/scaling. Target should be
to score maximum possible marks.
study only those topics which are mentioned
in the syllabus.
In Paper I try to cover all the topics. If time
does not permit then cover dynamics and
statics from 12 markers point of view.
In Paper II focus on the topics: Complex
Analysis, Linear Programming, Partial
Differential Equations and Numerical Analysis.
Rest of the topics should be covered from 12
markers point of view.
it is not possible that you come across all the
question before exam. what i do is try to finish
the paper quickly and keep some time to think
over them. for mechanics and dynamics see all
the 12 markers which have come in last 10
years. try to cover the theory required to solve
them. and practice few more examples related
to that.
Make a fair copy and practice all the previous
year questions in it.
Practice with pen and paper(Many aspirants
take this point casually and just read the solved
examples)
Do at least 3-4 papers in exam like conditions.

General tips while attempting

the paper:
Ordering of questions does not matter.
Attempt the questions which you know the
best at the start.
Try to finish each question in the 75-80% of
the allotted time. For example, a 15 marks
question has allotted time of 9 minutes. Try to
finish it in 7 minutes. Rest 2 minutes must be
spent on revising the answer. Rechecking entire
paper at the end may not be possible. Try to
work out the answer quickly in rough space. All
this is important because wrong answer may
carry heavy penalty.
i did not write any theory, not even explained
the terms in lagarange interpolation formula..
focus should be on getting the correct answer
and that too quickly.
All the trivial calculations (like simple
integration, algebraic and trigonometric
manipulations) can be done in rough space to
save time (I believe that showing them in
answer might not carry any weightage).
I will also upload some of the answers which I
wrote in the paper. In the next articles I will be
sharing the detailed strategy for both the
papers.
A major question that comes in the mind of an
aspirant is whether she should go for selective or
exhaustive preparation. I went for the exhaustive
preparation, as most part of the syllabus was part of
my graduation curriculum. But if time does not permit
one can leave some topics from point of view of full
60 marks question. In this post I am giving topic wise
preparation strategy.

Paper 1: Topicwise Booklist

1. Calculus Shanti Narayan Course on
Mathematical Analysis (S. Chand)
2. Analytic Geometry Shanti Narayan (S. Chand)
3. Ordinary Differential Equations M.D.
Raisinghania (S. Chand)

4. Statics Krishna Series

5. Dynamics Krishna Series

Paper I Topics
1. Linear Algebra Focus should on understanding
the definition of various terms mentioned in the
syllabus (like vector spaces, subspaces,
linear dependence and so on). While answering
questions explain all the steps.
2. CalculusSingle variable calculus is not a
problem for candidates. Refer to chapters
(book I mentioned in the booklist) that deal with
continuity and differentiability for 2 variables.
For double and triple integration also refer to
that book. The solved examples from that book
are sufficient. The relevant chapters
are:12,13,15,16,17,18. Theory is not important ,
just understand the techniques through solved
examples.
3. Analyt ic Geomet ry Refer book by PN
Chaterjee(Rajhans Publications). This book
contains solved examples and all the questions
are taken from this book.
4. Ordinary Dif f erent ial Equat ions In this topic it
is better to make a sheet of all the formulas
and techniques. Practice all the solved
questions of the book I have mentioned.
5. Dynamics and St at icsCompleting the Krishna
Series books(do only topics mentioned in the
syllabus) will be sufficient for attempting 60
marks question. Common Catenary, central
orbits, constrained motion should be covered in
depth(that is do all the solved examples). For
rest of the topics covering only few examples is
sufficient.
6. Vect or Analysis In this topic make the formula
sheet. And practice previous year questions.
Regularly practice the derivations asked in the
exam.

Paper 2: Topicwise Booklist

1. Algebra Khanna and Bhambri

2. Algebra- I. N. Herstein
3. Elements of Real Analysis -MD. Raisinghania(S.

Chand)
4. Complex Analysis Krishna Series
5. Linear Programming - Krishna Series
6. Partial Differential Equations- M.D. Raisinghania
+ (Some portion of book on Boundary Value
Problem by S. Chand)
7. Numerical Analysis Jain and Iynger
8. Fluid Dynamics M.D. Raisinghania
9. Mechanics Krishna Series (Rigid Dynamics
vol.-1 and Vo.-II)
10. For Linear Algebra and Vector Analysis, I could
not find any books relevant to the exam. So I
referred to Brilliant Tutorials material to practice
questions.

Paper 2: Topics and Tips

1. Algebra For the people who are totally new to
this topic i would suggest that read the books i
have mentioned 2-3 times. Then practice all the
theorems and questions yourself 2-3 times.
2. Real Analysis Cover chapters: 2- The Real
Numbers(till page 24), 3-Neighbourhoods
and Limit Point of a set(till page 11), 4
Countability of Sets(first 12 theorems and
examples given at the end) 5,6,7(Regarding
Sequence and series) 8. Real Functions. Limit
and Continuity, 9,10,11,12,13,15,16. For the
topics underlined cover the theorems also. For
rest of the chapters solved examples are
enough.
3. Complex Analysis Cover this topic from any
book. Practice this topic thoroughly.
4. Linear Programming Practice is important.
Improve upon the speed and accuracy for this
topic.
5. Part ial Dif f erent ial Equat ions Same as
Ordinary Differential Equations.
6. Numerical Analysis and Comput er
ProgrammingMake the formula sheet for all
the methods. Cover error analysis for newton
raphson, lagrange interpolation, numerical
integration. Draw flow chart and algorithm for all
the numerical methods. Practice them regularly.

For other topics i had M Morris Mano(this is

digital electronics book). One can refer to the
internet if she does not find the leftover topics
in book.
7. Mechanics and Fluid DynamicsFor Mechanics
focus on chapters of Lagrangian(cover it from
Vol-II, Rigid Dyanamics-Krishna Series),
Hamiltonian, Moment Of Inertia, DAlemberts
principle. For Fluid Dynamics cover topics
mentioned in the syllabus. The book of MD
Raisinghania covers syllabus from IAS exam
perspective also.
My methodology was to first cover the topic from the
books. Then practice previous year questions from
that topic. I covered the topics in the order
mentioned in the syllabus. However it does not
matter much. After covering the entire syllabus I
practiced last 3-4 year papers in exam like conditions.

Model Answers for UPSC

Maths Paper
I have uploaded solutions to Q 1(a) and Q 7(a) of
CSE-2009 paper-II attempted by me. Here theyre:
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August 20th, 2012 | Category: strategy
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