Who's gonna do 4u? (3 Viewers)

[Shadowdude]

Just as with any maths, you have to practice. Yes, understanding it is easy - like we all 'get' how to differentiate. But if they give a lengthy word problem which requires differentiation which is not immediately obvious - you're stuffed.

This is why doing questions is so important - because there are different ways to apply the same concept, through different styles of question.

 

[hscishard]

Understanding a concept and applying it are two different things. It's one thing to actually get the theory but it's another thing to know how draw upon that understanding and using it to solve unfamiliar problems. You could understand all the theory in Maths Ext2 but that's not enough to get a band E4 because this course has a huge emphasis on applications of your understanding to solve problems you've never seen before. This is what ultimately makes this course so challenging because once people actually see the solution to a problem they might be able to perfectly understand the logic behind it but if they were asked that question in an exam prior to seeing that solution, then they would experience difficulty in determining how to solve it (I'm sure current or former students know exactly what I mean).

Yea
Though if given enough time (varies widely), I'm sure most students(@4unit level) can figure it out eventually [unless it's one of those crazy questions]

 

[Drongoski]

Well said Trebla.

 

[The Derivative]

Would one struggle with 4u if one has only gone through half of the 2u course and barely started any 3u topics?

 

[Alkanes]

For 4U they assume that you know your 2U and 3U content very well.

 

[The Derivative]

Uh oh.
My school hasn't covered all of 2/3u yet =="

 

[Alkanes]

Get a riggle on then

 

[Aindan]

4u is a great course, you just need to spend time on it, how much time depends on your natural ability. But if you are prepared to apply consistent effort, you should find 4u manageable and rewarding.

 

[The Derivative]

What if you have absolutely no aptitude for maffs? Is 4u still ideal if you're willing to study?

 

[Aindan]

definately, give it a go. You'll be surprised

 

[Drongoski]

Would one struggle with 4u if one has only gone through half of the 2u course and barely started any 3u topics?

If you are not smart you will struggle. Smart is what you are born with. If you are not smart then you have chosen the wrong parents. Too late. It's irreversible.

That, unfortunately, is the inconvenient truth.

 

[AAEldar]

IMO, complex numbers isn't as interesting as say... CONICS, or... INTEGRATION.

Agreed. I was like "Ooooo Complex Numbers, this should be good" but it was pretty meh. 4U Integraion is (IMO) by far the best topic, and Conics has certainly grown on me!

 

[jnney]

If you are not smart you will struggle. Smart is what you are born with. If you are not smart then you have chosen the wrong parents. Too late. It's irreversible.

That, unfortunately, is the inconvenient truth.

It's not about being 'smart', but rather your own persistence and desire to succeed.

 

[The Derivative]

If you are not smart you will struggle. Smart is what you are born with. If you are not smart then you have chosen the wrong parents. Too late. It's irreversible.

That, unfortunately, is the inconvenient truth.

Uh oh, I'm a goner

 

[Drongoski]

It's not about being 'smart', but rather your own persistence and desire to succeed.

I wish it were so. I have dealt with so many struggling students. What an avg intelligent person takes a couple of attempts a struggler may still not get it after 10.

Also those struggling in maths lack the deductive reasoning ability that is the very foundation to successful mastery of maths. They cannot think logically.

 

[The Derivative]

What if you're of above average intelligence?

 

[Drongoski]

Once we get into the subject of intelligence it gets complicated. Perhaps there are many different areas and types of intelligence. I'm not qualified to say much on it. Some people are of above average intelligence - perhaps our Federal MPs. Many are qualified in Law which isn't an easy course. Yet I won't be surprised if half of them are good enough for only up to 2U Maths Advanced.

 

[SpiralFlex]

Uh oh.
My school hasn't covered all of 2/3u yet =="

Doesn't matter. You haven't started term 3 yet.

 

[The Derivative]

Doesn't matter. You haven't started term 3 yet.

But we start 4u in term 3...

 

[Alkanes]

OP was referring to the Prelim course i assume.