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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Math SL or HL?

So to you prospective Ib-ers who don't know whether to take SL or HL. Here is how to distinguish between them:

SL:
-knowledge + application based questions
-straightforward
-some uni concepts learned
-for canada, you receive the calculus and the advanced functions math credits
-if you are good/okay + willing to work at math, but do not like learning theories and going into too much depth.
-more practical than theoretical

HL:
-thinking questions (TIPS questions for canada)
-LOTS of proofs
-much harder concepts; often confusing
- for canada, you recieve calculus, advanced functions, and data management (all 3 maths)
-go into extensive uni math (in my opinion. aka first and second year (a little))
-much more theoretical than practical
-you must like math, be good at problem solving (and I mean good), and enjoy/be proficient in abstract thinking
-math + how to solve its problems must come somewhat naturally. Memorization does not work with this course. For those who tried to memorize, it went badly.
-some examples of crazy hard stuff: chinese number theorem, working with i (imaginary numbers) extensively (including on ln and log functions)
And from a just-finished HL math student (very smart guy):
Hardest to Not-So-Hard:
1) Graph/Number Theory Option
2) Integration (which covers 4 units of the course, so:)
3) Integration again :P
4) Related Rates in Differential Calculus
5) Complex Numbers

Also, my HL contact (this sounds epic :P ) said that it's not the concepts themselves that are hard, just the "HL Math Question Factor" that really beats up the HL kids. So again, you have to have (to some extent) a natural passion or affinity for math problem solving, as all HL questions are essentially long word problems that require extensive problem solving.

One last piece of advice: DO NOT do HL just for bragging rights. This is because when you get a 4 or less (79% and lower) on the maths you apply to university with, they not only bring down your average, but may stop you from applying to certain programs due to your averages being beneath the minimum math average; -and that is not very brag-able.

Quote from my HL contact:
"just tell them to avoid HL Math.....it has screwed over wayy too many people
and its only use (if the uni even recognizes it) is to put you in a seminar with year two students who probably haven't been sober in over a year [-_-] "

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