NationStates Jolt Archive

I really need some opinions on this, what do you think is a better subject to take for A level:

Maths Statistics.... or
Maths Mechanics?

And no, I wont be able to handal further maths.

Mechanics - trust me on this, stats is boring as... well, something so mind numbingly boring that every lesson made me want to hurl myself into the belly of a dragon. There aren't many things in this world I hate with such a burning passion, but stats is one of them. Mechs, on the other hand, is both interesting and awesome.

Of course, if stats will be more beneficial career/degree wise, then you should probably go for it, but I warn you now you won't enjoy it.

edit: And for the record double (further) maths really isn't as bad as people think. The only down side with it so far is I had to do a module of stats. The atmosphere in a double maths class is way better, because everyone who does it actually cares about maths and stuff, so there's far more of a, well, just a more fun-lovin' attitude if that's the right way to describe it.

Mechanics - trust me on this, stats is boring as... well, something so mind numbingly boring that every lesson made me want to hurl myself into the belly of a dragon. There aren't many things in this world I hate with such a burning passion, but stats is one of them. Mechs, on the other hand, is both interesting and awesome.

Of course, if stats will be more beneficial career/degree wise, then you should probably go for it, but I warn you now you won't enjoy it.

But what looks better? Having an A level in statistics or mechanics?

Stats is rubbish, im doin Mechanics for my A level simply because i will find it miles more interesting than Stats, i did a GCSE in that and it was painful, exceedinly painful

But what looks better? Having an A level in statistics or mechanics?

Who cares? If you do a mathematical course at university you'll probably use both anyway. Choose the one you like best as you'll do better in the long run.

Mechanics is more fun, in my opinion, but you can have a bit of fun with statistics too (but it's not as cool at A-Level). My A-Level Maths and Further Maths included both, back in the dim and distant past.

But what looks better? Having an A level in statistics or mechanics?

Probably mechanics - stats, from what I've done of it and heard of it, is really pretty easy, it's just stupidly repetative and dull - get a formula, stick about fifty bits of data through it, rinse, repeat and so on.

Mechanics, on the other hand, is far more interesting, quite possibly because it is harder, especially as you get into M4 and M5 and that lot. Now my view may be biased, but unless you specifically want to go and become a statistician or an accountant or something, then Mechs will look far better.

Who cares? If you do a mathematical course at university you'll probably use both anyway. Choose the one you like best as you'll do better in the long run.

Mechanics is more fun, in my opinion, but you can have a bit of fun with statistics too (but it's not as cool at A-Level). My A-Level Maths and Further Maths included both, back in the dim and distant past.

Ditto. Mechanics was really interesting, and it continued to be at degree level. Depending on what you want to do, statistics can be very useful. Having a grounding in stats can be very handy when analysing data at degree level science. There are more uses in economics etc too. Mechanics is more useful in the physical sciences like physics and engineering. At the end of the day it's your choice, but if you do a science subject you're almost guaranteed to use statistical techniques, wheres you're less likely to use mechanics. Mech is more fun though.

It might help if you told us which other subjects you are taking. :confused:
I was told to do mechanics because I also studied physics. Although I had to do Statistics 1 as well, and found it really easy and incredibly boring.

If neither of them will help with your other studies then I'd suggest mechanics. Although if you like to put little effort in and still get a good grade then take statistics.

Too bad there's not an A level in Sexual Technique, along with a significant lab course.

Ditto. Mechanics was really interesting, and it continued to be at degree level. Depending on what you want to do, statistics can be very useful. Having a grounding in stats can be very handy when analysing data at degree level science. There are more uses in economics etc too. Mechanics is more useful in the physical sciences like physics and engineering. At the end of the day it's your choice, but if you do a science subject you're almost guaranteed to use statistical techniques, wheres you're less likely to use mechanics. Mech is more fun though.

The thing is, I am not doing any sciences.

This is what i'm hoping to do:

Music, History, Philosophy and Ethics, Maths ______

What do you think?

Too bad there's not an A level in Sexual Technique, along with a significant lab course.

Pythonesque?

Isn't there a general-purpose, generic "Maths" course any more?

Pythonesque?

Beats playing the ocarina, now doesn't it?

The thing is, I am not doing any sciences.

This is what i'm hoping to do:

Music, History, Philosophy and Ethics, Maths ______

What do you think?

dont forget general studies, and with those i think stats would be more useful, but dont blame me if you die of boredom

The thing is, I am not doing any sciences.

This is what i'm hoping to do:

Music, History, Philosophy and Ethics, Maths ______

What do you think?

What are you planning on doing post-college? Because if it's something to do with any of the other subjects go for mechanics.

The thing is, I am not doing any sciences.

This is what i'm hoping to do:

Music, History, Philosophy and Ethics, Maths ______

What do you think?

Um, in that case, choose the one you think is more interesting. Can you not do a generic Maths A level, with modules of both?

Looking at that lot, I can't see any major use for either of them (possibly stats leading to game theory linking with Phil and Ethics, and History - bit tenous that) Stats might be more useful in life generally, but I'd find it more boring to study (albeit easier) than Mech. Don't know how you feel about the two.

What are you planning on doing post-college? Because if it's something to do with any of the other subjects go for mechanics.

I have no idea, thats the problem. I am hoping to get some sort of good acedemic degree and then go on from there. But music is my back up plan, as I am very good at music (theory and performing).

Beats playing the ocarina, now doesn't it?

everytime

what does A level mean? what year of school is that? how old are you?

we dont use that term in the US and im wondering if its at the beginning or end of "high school" (do you call it high school?)

what does A level mean? what year of school is that? how old are you?

we dont use that term in the US and im wondering if its at the beginning or end of "high school" (do you call it high school?)

I am 16 going on 17, and A level (or six form colledge) is after secondary school (same as high school i think). It runs for normally 2 years (or more) and then you can do university after that.

As someone has already said, mechanics is good if you are doing (or going on to do) physics or engineering as it will prepare you better for them (stats is useful as well but is easier to pick up at a later date).

Stats is more useful in social sciences, eonomics etc. Also it gives you a better chance of cutting out the crap that reporters add when reporting on a new survey or statistical research.

In general, you are more likely to use knowledge of statistics than mechanics in normal life. However I have to agree with the majority here who say mechanics is more interesting because it engages the mind more.

I am biased though as I am a physicist.

I am 16 going on 17, and A level (or six form colledge) is after secondary school (same as high school i think). It runs for normally 2 years (or more) and then you can do university after that.

hmmmmm

is maths mechanics trigonometry?

do you start calculus before you enter university?

hmmmmm

is maths mechanics trigonometry?

do you start calculus before you enter university?

i think yes to calculus

baisic trigonometry is covered in the Maths GCSE, there isnt a seperate subject for it like there isnt a seperate subject for geometry or circles or whatever, i think it is all put into the menchanics A level

hmmmmm

is maths mechanics trigonometry?

do you start calculus before you enter university?

Part of mechs involves trig. In fact trig is used a whole lot in M1 and M2, and probably throughout the rest of the course. As for calculus you do that in the Core maths modules, so yes, you do that before uni.

hmmmmm

is maths mechanics trigonometry?

do you start calculus before you enter university?

Mechanics is basic calculus etc, basic trigonometry should have already been covered with more advanced trigonometry being covered during A-levels.

When I did maths A-levels (about 6 years ago) it had two sections, pure maths and applied maths. Mechanics and stats were applied while pure maths covered more abstract mathematical ideas.

Part of mechs involves trig. In fact trig is used a whole lot in M1 and M2, and probably throughout the rest of the course. As for calculus you do that in the Core maths modules, so yes, you do that before uni.

wow the more i ask the less i understand.

what is M1, M2 and core maths modules and how does that differ from A level maths?

what year would you take calculus? is everyone in <whatever this level of schooling is called> going to university? what percent end up taking high level math before going to university? how much math are you required to take in order to graduate?

I really need some opinions on this, what do you think is a better subject to take for A level:

Maths Statistics.... or
Maths Mechanics?

And no, I wont be able to handal further maths.

Classical Civilisation! Duh!

Take Stats. Easier to cheat and make things up.

I have recently found out that I can't do maths mechanics if I want to do the other three subjects.

So I can only do maths statistics if I want to do a maths.

However I could replace maths with Biology or physics. However I got a higher grade in maths then I did in science.

Classical Civilisation! Duh!

Take Stats. Easier to cheat and make things up.

Yeah, if you want to fail. At A level, you can't make up answers and expect to get them right. Stats is a numerical course - ie right or wrong answers.

wow the more i ask the less i understand.

what is M1, M2 and core maths modules and how does that differ from A level maths?

what year would you take calculus? is everyone in <whatever this level of schooling is called> going to university? what percent end up taking high level math before going to university? how much math are you required to take in order to graduate?


M1, M2 and core maths are modules of the maths A-level in its current form, my maths A-level was not modulated so I can't give any more details. A-levels are the two years (usually) of education taken that can lead onto university. A-level is the name of the qualification, school sixth forms or colleges are where they are normally taken. Most people are 16/17 when they start A-levels. Calculus starts in the first year, as calculus is very broad in its level of difficulty the more advanced calculus is taught still at University.

High level maths/additional maths is another A-level taken along with A-level maths that covers more advanced mathematical concepts. People who take this course usually find the maths they do in the first year of university is repeating some this (espeically for the sciences and engineering, maths is not included in that generalisation). A very small number of people who take maths also take additional maths.

Knowing my luck I have confused you more

Yeah, if you want to fail. At A level, you can't make up answers and expect to get them right. Stats is a numerical course - ie right or wrong answers.

Not for coursework.:)

The A-levels are easy to cheat.

I have recently found out that I can't do maths mechanics if I want to do the other three subjects.

So I can only do maths statistics if I want to do a maths.

However I could replace maths with Biology or physics. However I got a higher grade in maths then I did in science.

What do you mean? Is the entire A-level statistics or mechanics maths with no core/abstract maths.

is everyone in <whatever this level of schooling is called> going to university? what percent end up taking high level math before going to university? how much math are you required to take in order to graduate?
It varies, I think, but maybe half of A-Level students will go to university? Maybe more. Many people won't do any mathematics at all at A-Level, so it isn't required, but you'd have to do one year to get an AS-Level in the subject and two years to get an A-Level.
There's no such thing as "graduating" in the UK. You either pass each course or you fail, and that doesn't affect any other course you're taking.

I think. They do like to change it, and I did mine about 7 years ago just before the last major change.

wow the more i ask the less i understand.

what is M1, M2 and core maths modules and how does that differ from A level maths?

what year would you take calculus? is everyone in <whatever this level of schooling is called> going to university? what percent end up taking high level math before going to university? how much math are you required to take in order to graduate?

Hehe, sorry - 'twas not my intention to confuzzle.

M! and M2 are the Mechanics module of the applied maths course (which consists of either M1 to M5, or you can do S1 to S3, which is stats, with D1 and D2, which is Discreet, whatever the hell that's meant to be). Core maths is all the more abstract topics like calculus, differentiation, circle theorems and so on.

This doesn't differ from A level maths - the A level course is simply split up into these modules to make it easier to examine. To complete an A level course in maths you have to do all the Core modules, and one of the two sets of applied modules (mechs or stats).

edit: Since calculus is such a broad subject it spans the whole couse, but only in the Core modules (although some calculus techniques are used in mechanics, it is taught in Core). So far, in the first year, only the basic stuff like integration and differentiation, and the various forms thereof, have been covered, but then differentiation is a huge topic.

As for the percentage of people who go to uni... well, I'd say most people who go to college (that'd be high school over there) go on to uni. Compulsory education ends at 16, so most of the people who are gonna go and work in retail stores and crap like that don't bother going on to higher education - mainly it's people who plan on going to uni who bother with college.

Depending on what degree you plan on, maths may or may not be required for going to university. I mean if you paln on doing accounting or physics then obviously it'll be required, and for a lot of courses maths is a good thing to have because, well, becuase it's maths really. But if you want to do... geography for example, or english, then maths won't be required. So the number of people who do A level maths before uni is determined by how many people plan of doing maths-related degrees.

In order to get your A level you just have to pass your exams really - each module is examined seperately, and your scores are put into your overall grade. If you score high enough then you pass, and 'graduate'. It is possible to do badly on a module or two, but I think if you fail one completely then you're pretty screwed.

What do you mean? Is the entire A-level statistics or mechanics maths with no core/abstract maths.

Mechanics and Statistics both contain cor maths as well.

Not for coursework.:)

The A-levels are easy to cheat.

I've never seen any statistical coursework at A level. And in any case, I'd still expect them to check the maths.

Mechanics and Statistics both contain cor maths as well.


Ok, that is not so bad. Though it is bad that you can't mix the two sides. Some statistics and some mechanics, which you could do when I was doing A-levels.

The OP is funny to me, because here in Australia, Further Maths is the BASIC level. Above that, there's Maths Methods, then Specialist Maths.

Ok, that is not so bad. Though it is bad that you can't mix the two sides. Some statistics and some mechanics, which you could do when I was doing A-levels.

There is further maths, which does both the full statistics and mechanics course (with more advanced stuff as well). You get your A level in the first year, and in the second year you do degree level stuff i believe. It is incredibly hard and I don't think i could handle it.

I've never seen any statistical coursework at A level. And in any case, I'd still expect them to check the maths.

With statistical maths coursework you are suppose to take surveys etc and determine if there is any relation between two or more things.
An example would be:

How does gender affect the courses chosen at A-level. Another would be determing the number of red cars that pass you compared to other colours. Usually some really random titles

I think he is tryiong to imply that you can just make up the results of the survey and then analyse them statistically. Therefore he will still have to do the maths but avoid the annoying survey part of the coursework.

There is further maths, which does both the full statistics and mechanics course (with more advanced stuff as well). You get your A level in the first year, and in the second year you do degree level stuff i believe. It is incredibly hard and I don't think i could handle it.

Ok that sounds like the further maths that my friends did in addition to normal maths. I regret not doing further maths now as it would have been fun :(

With statistical maths coursework you are suppose to take surveys etc and determine if there is any relation between two or more things.
An example would be:

How does gender affect the courses chosen at A-level. Another would be determing the number of red cars that pass you compared to other colours. Usually some really random titles

I think he is tryiong to imply that you can just make up the results of the survey and then analyse them statistically. Therefore he will still have to do the maths but avoid the annoying survey part of the coursework.

You mean there are people who don't do this?

You mean there are people who don't do this?

I haven't found any yet.....:D

All I can say is don't take what I did at AS; History, English, Classics, French, General Studies and Critical Thinking.

I was writig about 10,000 words of essays a week last year.....:(

With statistical maths coursework you are suppose to take surveys etc and determine if there is any relation between two or more things.
An example would be:

How does gender affect the courses chosen at A-level. Another would be determing the number of red cars that pass you compared to other colours. Usually some really random titles

I think he is tryiong to imply that you can just make up the results of the survey and then analyse them statistically. Therefore he will still have to do the maths but avoid the annoying survey part of the coursework.

Yeah, we did that sh*t at GCSE, but not A Level. And you'd still have to be able to do the maths, so the hard part is still ahead. But meh.

I haven't found any yet.....:D

All I can say is don't take what I did at AS; History, English, Classics, French, General Studies and Critical Thinking.

I was writig about 10,000 words of essays a week last year.....:(

ooh unlucky, is this critical thinking malarky really a rem subject? by its very name you would assume so

ooh unlucky, is this critical thinking malarky really a rem subject? by its very name you would assume so

Yep. And the exam was multi-choice!:D

Mechanics is a lot easier than statistics, and a lot more interesting. I had to do both modules, got a B for mechanics and and E for statistics. This was back when everyone didnt get A's for everything.

Mechanics is a lot easier than statistics, and a lot more interesting. I had to do both modules, got a B for mechanics and and E for statistics. This was back when everyone didnt get A's for everything.

Guess what? I've got the smallest violin in the world, and I'm playing it for you......:D

Guess what? I've got the smallest violin in the world, and I'm playing it for you......:D

Im not complaining, A levels didnt mean shit then and they mean less now. But mechanics was a good module. Its like playing armadillo run. in your head. with a calculator. at school.