Is spesh more similar to methods or physics?

[jollyboat]

I'm choosing my subjects for units 1/2 and was wondering whether I should choose specialist maths or not. I'm pretty good at maths so I think I could do okay in it (and it could be useful to me in the future) but I'm not sure if I'd find it interesting. I like methods-type maths but I haven't been particularly interested by the physics I've done. I was wondering which one specialist is more similar to? Thanks

[Quantum44]

Spesh is very similar to methods. It's pretty much built around calculus and is a natural extension of the functions and calculus you learn in methods. Also the probability and statistics you learn in methods is useful in this study design as there is a bit of statistics in spesh now. Complex numbers and vectors and really the only non-related units, but even vectors tie in to calculus eventually.

Spesh does also have a bit of physics. The kinematics section of the course does have its roots in methods as an application of differentiation and integration, but does get more like physics are you throw in some constant acceleration (suvat) formulas and differential equations. I imagine this is also the same with mechanics, but then again both of these topics integrate well into the greater calculus/vectors slant of the course.

Ultimately, I'd highly recommend spesh. It's challenging at times but also a lot of fun. If you are good at maths and enjoy methods, you will also enjoy spesh. The physics aspect of the course isn't too prominent either.

[rocksonchan]

I'm choosing my subjects for units 1/2 and was wondering whether I should choose specialist maths or not. I'm pretty good at maths so I think I could do okay in it (and it could be useful to me in the future) but I'm not sure if I'd find it interesting. I like methods-type maths but I haven't been particularly interested by the physics I've done. I was wondering which one specialist is more similar to? Thanks

In my opinion, spesh is more similar to methods than physics. This is mainly because spesh covers many mathematical concepts like functions, trigonometry, vectors, complex numbers, differentiation, integration, differential equations, probability and statistics, which are all extensions of methods because they still come under the branch of normal maths. However, spesh only covers kinematics and dynamics from the physics side of things, and as you can see, there is an overwhelming number of maths-like topics compared to physics-like ones. I personally think that spesh would be a good option, and I did reasonably well in spesh without knowing any physics at all, so I'm sure you'll be ok

Hope this helps

[jollyboat]

Thanks both of you for the replies!