Specialist Maths 1 & 2 vs Specialist Maths 3 & 4, what's the difference?

[^^^111^^^]

Hey AN,

Just a quick clarification,
what is the difference between the concepts taught for Specialist Mathematics units 1 & 2 when comparing it with 3 & 4? Are most concepts based on what has already been taught in 1 & 2? And what would you say are the most difficult concepts to grasp? (I know this is rather more subjective, but I would just like an outline to see which concepts would need more dedication and time.)

Thank you

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From my experience topics from 1/2 are either completely, partially or very relevant to 3/4. That being said, there is also overlap between Spesh 1/2, 3/4 and Methods 3/4

Starting off with topics in 1/2 completely irrelevant to 3/4
Proofs: The methods of proof taught in 1/2 include induction, contradiction and direct proof. In 3/4, the only proofs you will need to know are direct and vector proofs
Sequences and series
Circle theorems

Topics partially relevant
Variation (ex. x is directly or inversely proportional to y): this is needed when modelling differential equations but I don't think I strong understanding of variation is needed to do well

Topics very relevant:
Vectors (almost exact same)
Complex numbers (exact same)
Mechanics
Kinematics
Trigonometry
Partial fractions
Statistics (quite a bit harder in 3/4)

Topics extended upon in 3/4
Calculus (wasn't even taught in 1/2 since it's taught so late in methods 1/2) especially integration
Vector functions
Reciprocal/inverse functions

And lastly, topics in 1/2 which overlap with methods 3/4
Statistics

Ironically, 1/2 has quite a bit of overap with uni maths (proofs, sequences and series)

[^^^111^^^]

From my experience topics from 1/2 are either completely, partially or very relevant to 3/4. That being said, there is also overlap between Spesh 1/2, 3/4 and Methods 3/4

Starting off with topics in 1/2 completely irrelevant to 3/4
Proofs: The methods of proof taught in 1/2 include induction, contradiction and direct proof. In 3/4, the only proofs you will need to know are direct and vector proofs
Sequences and series
Circle theorems

Topics partially relevant
Variation (ex. x is directly or inversely proportional to y): this is needed when modelling differential equations but I don't think I strong understanding of variation is needed to do well

Topics very relevant:
Vectors (almost exact same)
Complex numbers (exact same)
Mechanics
Kinematics
Trigonometry
Partial fractions
Statistics (quite a bit harder in 3/4)

Topics extended upon in 3/4
Calculus (wasn't even taught in 1/2 since it's taught so late in methods 1/2) especially integration
Vector functions
Reciprocal/inverse functions

And lastly, topics in 1/2 which overlap with methods 3/4
Statistics

Ironically, 1/2 has quite a bit of overap with uni maths (proofs, sequences and series)

Thank you If you do not mind me asking, what would you say were some  difficult concepts of Units 3 and 4, and was it any different to Units 1 and 2?

[undefined]

Thank you If you do not mind me asking, what would you say were some  difficult concepts of Units 3 and 4, and was it any different to Units 1 and 2?

The hardest topics for me to grasp were kinematics, vector proofs and statistics (type 1 and 2 errors are the bane of my existence) Just wanna put it out there physics gives you quite a large advantage for kinematics and dynamics

[^^^111^^^]

The hardest topics for me to grasp were kinematics, vector proofs and statistics (type 1 and 2 errors are the bane of my existence) Just wanna put it out there physics gives you quite a large advantage for kinematics and dynamics

Thank you. And yes, fortunately I am doing physics along with specialist maths as this was the advice from my teachers as well.

[S_R_K]

From my experience topics from 1/2 are either completely, partially or very relevant to 3/4. That being said, there is also overlap between Spesh 1/2, 3/4 and Methods 3/4

Starting off with topics in 1/2 completely irrelevant to 3/4
Proofs: The methods of proof taught in 1/2 include induction, contradiction and direct proof. In 3/4, the only proofs you will need to know are direct and vector proofs
Sequences and series
Circle theorems

Topics partially relevant
Variation (ex. x is directly or inversely proportional to y): this is needed when modelling differential equations but I don't think I strong understanding of variation is needed to do well

Topics very relevant:
Vectors (almost exact same)
Complex numbers (exact same)
Mechanics
Kinematics
Trigonometry
Partial fractions
Statistics (quite a bit harder in 3/4)

Topics extended upon in 3/4
Calculus (wasn't even taught in 1/2 since it's taught so late in methods 1/2) especially integration
Vector functions
Reciprocal/inverse functions

And lastly, topics in 1/2 which overlap with methods 3/4
Statistics

Ironically, 1/2 has quite a bit of overap with uni maths (proofs, sequences and series)

I agree with almost all of this, but I would caution against claiming circle geometry is "completely irrelevant". Questions about circles and lines/rays in the complex plane can often be better understood / more efficiently answered using circle geometry.