Spesh 3/4 without 1/2

[DBA-144]

Hey everyone,

I would like to complete specialist maths next year, but have not completed year 11 spesh. Would you think that this is a good idea?
I am more than willing to work hard and catch up on what I have missed. I am also doing methods, so that should help.

Can someone please tell me which topics I need to revise for next year? Also, if you do not mind, could you possibly provide your experience with spesh?

Thank you. 

[Vaike]

Heya, I did 3/4 spesh without 1/2! By the sounds of it you're pretty keen, so in that case I would highly recommend doing it! I loved spesh 3/4, found it much more enjoyable than methods. Sure, the content is definitely more challenging conceptually, (and also a much bigger workload) but if you can get your head around the concepts the questions on exams are actually not really any harder (often slightly easier imo) than those in methods. If you plan to do any kinda maths/engineering at uni its also nice to not have to do an extra unit if you've already done spesh.

In terms of revision for next year, you can get away with not doing all that much and just relying on your methods skills (that's what I did). That being said, I do wish I'd learned vectors before starting. Others who've actually done 1/2 spesh might be able to give better advice in this regard, but from what I can remember there isn't significant amounts of overlap between 1/2 and 3/4.

[Sine]

Definitely echoing the sentiments above by Vaike. Specialist 1/2 really isn't great for any VCE 3/4 unless your teacher focuses on the aspects of the course which will reappear in spec 3/4 (something my teacher did and it was really useful for my class.). Methods 1/2 is probably a better precursor in terms of content you learn if a teacher only goes by the study design for 1/2.

If you are already doing well in methods and have a passion for mathematics I would definitely recommend to do spesh.

I think good topics to learn would be
-complex numbers
-Vectors
-Basic geometry revision
-methods 3/4 differentiation/integration (unless you have already learnt this stuff)

[anon101]

NO, EVEN THE 1/2 UNITS ARE EXTREMELY HARD!!!
I'm someone who enjoys Maths a lot, however, I can't even imagine myself doing the Geometry work + way more for the first time in year 12.
The trig, imaginary number and everything else that I've done this year shouldn't be too difficult though.
Maybe though if you manage to learn about/do a load of circle geometry proofs, you'd be able to get away without the 1/2 stuff.
However, I can't see the risk as being worth it.
But don't take my word for anything, I'm still doing units 1/2 Specialist Maths.

[DBA-144]

NO, EVEN THE 1/2 UNITS ARE EXTREMELY HARD!!!
I'm someone who enjoys Maths a lot, however, I can't even imagine myself doing the Geometry work + way more for the first time in year 12.
The trig, imaginary number and everything else that I've done this year shouldn't be too difficult though.
Maybe though if you manage to learn about/do a load of circle geometry proofs, you'd be able to get away without the 1/2 stuff.
However, I can't see the risk as being worth it.
But don't take my word for anything, I'm still doing units 1/2 Specialist Maths.

Yeah, I agree, the circle geometry stuff does seem quite difficult. Its with proving that lines are perpendicular, and that lines bisect angles that I am struggling the most with. More specifically, with finding which angle the alternate segment theorem would apply to. Would I be right in saying that the alternate segment theorem applies to the angle that is opposite the refernece angle in the other segment? Any advice on these geometry, circle geometry questions, struggling with this!

[S_R_K]

The geometry that you need for 3&4 is for vector proofs. For this topic (which is never that difficult in the exams, if it appears at all), it's more important that you have a few basic tricks up your sleeve (like knowing how to use vectors to show that lines are parallel or perpendicular).

To the extent that basic geometry comes up at all, it's most important that you know the basic properties / tests for special quadrilaterals, and some basic circle theorems. You won't have to prove any of these using congruence tests or anything like that.

Students don't like it at first, but vector proofs is one of the best parts of the course for developing your mathematical maturity and ability to think resourcefully and laterally.

[Sine]

Yeah the circle geometry isn't too bad imo - once you learn more on vectors you will be mostly using vectors to solve them. Also the vector proofs you might get in your exam are highly likely to be a guided proof rather than 3-5 marks for 1 question. This means there will be a spread of marks of students some getting 0,1,2,3 etc. This is because if it was just one question for 5 marks a lot of people would either get 0 marks or get the full 5 marks which will really bad for getting a good distribution of scores.

[DBA-144]

So, from what I gather then it seems that there is more of an onus on integration and differentiation techniques and their appliations to physics related concepts, like motion and friction? Does the study design extend to techniques like the reverse product rule? Sorry, forgot the real name.
Also, does spesh assume chain rule, product rule and quotient rule knowledge?

Thanks!

[Sine]

So, from what I gather then it seems that there is more of an onus on integration and differentiation techniques and their appliations to physics related concepts, like motion and friction? Does the study design extend to techniques like the reverse product rule? Sorry, forgot the real name.
Also, does spesh assume chain rule, product rule and quotient rule knowledge?

Thanks!

Integration by parts?

Nah, it isn't in the spec course.

and yes specialist 3/4 kinda assume 3/4 methods differentiation and integration (but you will go over it briefly). Most teachers will try to make sure that if a student is learning both subjects at the same time - they learn the methods stuff earlier.

[anon101]

Integration by parts?

Nah, it isn't in the spec course.

and yes specialist 3/4 kinda assume 3/4 methods differentiation and integration (but you will go over it briefly). Most teachers will try to make sure that if a student is learning both subjects at the same time - they learn the methods stuff earlier.

Really? Because my course for the 1&2's is set up specifically so we have to learn the concepts and stuff in Specialist within a much shorter time span. Then we do them in Methods.
Also, so in year 12 Specialist, there's nothing to worry about if we aren't able to the circle geometry stuff very well? Because I thought it was mentioned somewhere as the "prerequisite knowledge" for Specialist 3&4.
Also for the 1&2 people, how much harder will the 3&4 subject be?