Natural Ability

[VCE_2012]

Can an average person excel in the fields of mathematics such as Uni maths and Specialist?
Or is it reserved for geniuses who are also determined?
I know for a fact that even a genius can become blunt if he/she lacks determination and motivation.
What I don't know is- can an average person/ or below average person strive for excellence (attain 50 for MMC, SPEC and 5.5 for UNImaths) or are there limitations to the intellectual capacity?


Moderator Action: Topics merged. - Mao

[vea]

I still think you need a bit of natural ability at the top end.

[jane1234]

Personally I think there are realistic limitations.
If a person has struggled with maths all their life, and never fully understood basic concepts even with help, then yes I think they would struggle with methods, spesh and uni maths. I don't think that people who tried hard for Cs and Bs in middle school maths will magically get A+s in spesh. Some people just don't get maths, no matter how hard they try.
However, for an "average" person as you say, I think it is possible. I don't find any difference in difficulty between methods and spesh. Even though spesh is meant to be more difficult, the concepts aren't that hard to understand if explained well and if you do enough practice. I know naturally intelligent people who are failing spesh, and "average" people getting As. I think it is a combination of determination, hard work and, yes, intelligence.
But I think natural maths intelligence is probably needed for 45+.

[VCE_2012]

Considering determination and hard work...

[taiga]

Natural ability won't get you far at all in vce math, in fact I don't really even believe you can have a natural ability in a subject as such, but I do believe fast learning often becomes a natural thing

[david10d]

Well according to Dr He (another Dr He reference..) one of Australia's top mathematicians completed Methods with a 43 study score.



Go figure.

[Hutchoo]

VCE math isn't 'real' math, so to speak. It's all about making sure you can understand some concepts and avoid careless mistakes.

[ulbasour]

Well according to Dr He (another Dr He reference..) one of Australia's top mathematicians completed Methods with a 43 study score.

Im pretty sure andrew elvey price got 42 or something for spesh. He's easily the best mathematician for his age in Aus.
Methods really is all about reading the question and not making stupid mistakes, and spesh is probably only slightly better. Pure maths talent is really only shown in the BHP maths Comp.

Go figure.

[vexx]

I'd say half of it is natural ability, the rest is hard work. But if you aren't that talented, it's definitely possible with A LOT of hard work to make up for it.. It really depends...

[Eriny]

I think maths requires a certain way of thinking which some people are more attuned to than others. If you aren't attuned to it, it doesn't make being good at maths impossible, but it would take a lot of work to get there and who knows how long it could take. It might be worth it, or it might be better to spend your time doing something that you are better at, depending on what you really want to do with your life.