ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE Mathematics => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Specialist Mathematics => Topic started by: Harley2262 on July 31, 2012, 02:50:11 pm
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Im doing specialist math 1+2 now and finding it sort of hard crossed with easy. Just wondering how difficult it gets in yr 12. My teacher said its not much harder then complex numbers. (which i thought was dead easy). Any opinions appreciated. Cheers.
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Yeah, the complex numbers isn't much of a jump imo, however, there is a serious introduction of calculus (including vector calculus, differential equations, and calculus that should be in the joke vce physics course we have - ie. forces, motion, etc.) and I found that the vectors also took a bit of a step up (more rigorous proofs, resolutes, etc.) as well as trig (more functions and graphs).
In summation, it steps up at different levels depending on the topic.
The GMA topics that are relevant to spesh are:
Topics in GMA Relevant for Specialist Maths
• Vectors
• Algebra (also draw from Methods knowledge)
• Quadratics and rates (also in Methods 1+2 textbooks)
• Partial Fractions
• Complex Numbers (i, cis, z=x+yi, de Moivre's, etc.)
• Dynamics (forces, equilibrium, coefficient of friction, etc.)
• Kinematics (displacement, velocity, acceleration, etc.)
• Loci (and associated graphs)
• Trig (rules, identities and graphs)
• Angles (all those rules and circle geometry -none of the 'bisecting a line with a protractor' rubbish though)
• Shapes (volumes, surface areas, ratios, 3D vs 2D, etc.)
Methods gives the basis to a few of those topics, so don't worry if you haven't done all of those in GMA (ie. calculus definitely isn't in GMA).
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What if you haven't done specialist 1&2, but are currently doing methods 3&4, and are planning to do specialist in year 12? Is it a detriment to your performance?
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What if you haven't done specialist 1&2, but are currently doing methods 3&4, and are planning to do specialist in year 12? Is it a detriment to your performance?
Not really, the GMA content is really easy to pick up in the summer holidays. You'll be behind, but it's very manageable if you study the topics: complex numbers, vectors and mechanics in particular (or you could go through the whole list that I posted above). If you'd like to get a head-start on some worksheets and stuff -> General Mathematics Advanced Resources
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Im doing specialist math 1+2 now and finding it sort of hard crossed with easy. Just wondering how difficult it gets in yr 12. My teacher said its not much harder then complex numbers. (which i thought was dead easy). Any opinions appreciated. Cheers.
Is there Specialist Maths unit 1/2? I assumed Spesh was only in year 12?
Or you mean Advanced General Maths?
If so, I think Advanced Maths was so much easier in year 11 compared to year 12.
What you are studying now is just basic ones but next year, it'll be more loaded knowledge.
Complex number is just a small part of the course, there are other new topics as well ie. dynamics, volume of the curves rotated, inverse circular functions, derivative, integral, etc,...
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Im doing specialist math 1+2 now and finding it sort of hard crossed with easy. Just wondering how difficult it gets in yr 12. My teacher said its not much harder then complex numbers. (which i thought was dead easy). Any opinions appreciated. Cheers.
Is there Specialist Maths unit 1/2? I assumed Spesh was only in year 12?
Or you mean Advanced General Maths?
If so, I think Advanced Maths was so much easier in year 11 compared to year 12.
What you are studying now is just basic ones but next year, it'll be more loaded knowledge.
Complex number is just a small part of the course, there are other new topics as well ie. dynamics, volume of the curves rotated, inverse circular functions, derivative, integral, etc,...
Yeah that's what I thought until this guy in my school told me he was taking tuitions for spesh 1/2 this year :-\
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Spesh 1/2 is GMA with a spesh-student-wannabee-name :P, there is no formally VCAA-approved "specialist maths units 1 & 2" :)
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It's not that much of a jump. I found year 10 maths to GMA was much harder than GMA to specialist. Just make sure you learn algebra and circular functions really well in year 11. You will use them a lot.
There is also a huge emphasis on calculus in year 12. More than 50% of the specialist course revolves around calculus, but most of it you don't even start learning until year 12 (eg. product rule, chain rule, quotient rule, area under curves, area between curves, solid of revolution, integration by substitution, integration by recognition, integration by partial fractions, integration by using trigonometric identities etc.)