getting back into maths

[bubble sunglasses]

  hey, was wondering, *if* I suddenly decide maths is fun [I loved it aged 8 and was the best in my year level],  and stay in Australia, what are the advantages of doing methods/spec vs relevant uni units? I was thinking, for uni: I could possibly start next semester, have more accesible help, be closer to other people doing it, and possibly be able to forget what SACs are. On the other hand I want to do 4 arts subjects [or 3 + Eco] and if I did well enough at VCE maths, I could tutor, which would be rewarding in more ways than one. Thoughts?

[Neobeo]

  hey, was wondering, *if* I suddenly decide maths is fun [I loved it aged 8 and was the best in my year level],  and stay in Australia, what are the advantages of doing methods/spec vs relevant uni units? I was thinking, for uni: I could possibly start next semester, have more accesible help, be closer to other people doing it, and possibly be able to forget what SACs are. On the other hand I want to do 4 arts subjects [or 3 + Eco] and if I did well enough at VCE maths, I could tutor, which would be rewarding in more ways than one. Thoughts?

I'm not completely sure what you mean by "relevant uni units". Either way I strongly believe that maths is an interesting and stimulating field. You seem to have a broad interest in multiple fields, so it might be a bit harder to decide. For me, I was never good with arts, and never had any interest in the business/economics side; I found that maths suited me quite well. If you think you still have a strong passion for maths then by all means do it.

[bubble sunglasses]

 I mean whichever unit I can get into without having completed Methods

[Mao]

mmm

La Trobe would have a fairly fundamental first year Math course [applied mathematics?] that doesnt assume much prior knowledge.

because math at uni is basically to cover all the rote learning people did in high school, giving the proper definitions and proofs for why people have to memorise all those bloody formulas, techniques and relationships, etc.


but without methods, you might have a little trouble trying to get used the algebra and calculus that people would've seen and done in Methods/Spec.
so go get a couple Primer books, I recommend
Calculus for Dummies - the best book on calculus I have ever read. http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/Calculus-For-Dummies.productCd-0764524984.html

and maybe Pre-Calculus for Dummies as well if you are not too confident with algebra and functions and etc.

[dont get put off by the titles, they are awesome books ]