Study Advice

[quin_stick]

Weird, got talked into going out tonight at around 4.30, did more work in the last 3 hours than I did in the whole day before then because I felt bad for going out instead of studying, which I would have done very little of

 

[hirdy_is_champ]

I went to a relatively pushy private school so I understand the OP's point of view, although I was a bit of a lazy bugger so I needed to go there. Definitely study hard because it'll help you later on, but I don't know if its best to think about a particular course at a particular uni when you're in year 10, otherwise you set yourself up for disappointment. Year 12 is nothing in the grand scheme of things, its only a small part of your life, there's always a way around things if you don't get into the course you want, often you'll find something that you like just as much. Also, a lot of people get degrees, then don't actually get a job that has any relevance to it. Don't worry about career advisors who act like you need to know what job you're gonna do when you're older even though you're only 16. That gave me the shits. Anyway, good luck and don't stress.

 

[PP34]

I was never any good at maths in high school, but the most pointless thing I ever came across was surds.

It's one of my topics now. It's pretty pointless.

And it seems I'm not the only one that gets pissed off by Maths teachers that just write and never both to explain problems. I actually had decent Maths teachers in my first few years of high school but this year my Maths teacher treats us all as though we're mathematical geniuses.

 

[Black Diamond]

It's one of my topics now. It's pretty pointless.

And it seems I'm not the only one that gets pissed off by Maths teachers that just write and never both to explain problems. I actually had decent Maths teachers in my first few years of high school but this year my Maths teacher treats us all as though we're mathematical geniuses.

Give us an example of a question.

 

[PP34]

Give us an example of a question.

Surds or anything?

 

[Black Diamond]

Surds or anything?

Whatever is particularly challenging right now.

 

[PP34]

Whatever is particularly challenging right now.

Rationalise the denominators in the following using the difference of perfect squares
2/√3+1

 

[Black Diamond]

Difference of two squares:

When you have number pared like that, this means you multiply it by itself, only with a - sign instead of a plus.

(x+a)(x-a) = x^2 - a^2

^^^Every single time. That's a rule you should memorise. So in this case: (√3+1)(√3-1) = 3-1 = 2


Also, remember with fractions: What ever you do to the top you have to do to the bottom.

This means we will multiply the top by (√3-1).

2(√3-1) = 2√3 - 2

(2√3 - 2) / 2

= (√3-1) / 1
= √3 - 1

 

[Black Diamond]

My scanner isn't working. I tried to upload my working on paper.

Edit. Here it is:

 

[radiojake]

Advanced maths of this kind is otherwise an extended IQ test -

There is no 'practical purpose'* to it, but rather it demonstrates one ability to problem solve etc..

(*unless, of course, one takes a career in physics etc... )

 

[checkraiseulite]

Advanced maths of this kind is otherwise an extended IQ test -

There is no 'practical purpose'* to it, but rather it demonstrates one ability to problem solve etc..

(*unless, of course, one takes a career in physics etc... )

Lol high school surds is advanced maths. Also not sure what is has to do with iq.

 

[radiojake]

Lol high school surds is advanced maths. Also not sure what is has to do with iq.

I was talking generally to earlier questions of 'What is the point of maths? I'll never use it' etc

I always felt that it was just an elaborate, extended way of ascertaining ones problem and logic solving ability -

I wasn't trying to say the above was advanced maths, though re-reading my post I can see how you thought that -

 

[Cruyff14]

Oh dear, I am going to have nightmares tonight.

 

[Black Diamond]

I was talking generally to earlier questions of 'What is the point of maths? I'll never use it' etc

I always felt that it was just an elaborate, extended way of ascertaining ones problem and logic solving ability -

I wasn't trying to say the above was advanced maths, though re-reading my post I can see how you thought that -

True, nobody is ever going to ask you to rationalise equations like the one above in real life. However, you are building skills which can be relevant and will enhance your understanding of different concepts.