I got a 3!!!

[Cavernio]

wtf is mathcounts

[Mau5]

Originally Posted by Cavernio

wtf is mathcounts

Let me Google that for you

[~kitty~]

Originally Posted by Reincarnate

Sounds like a confidence issue to me -- correct me if I'm wrong. Like hi19hi19 said, I'd just do a lot of reading and practice. Some subjects are overwhelming if you look at the big picture and can be really discouraging, but sometimes it's really as simple as, well, starting simple. As you grasp more and more concepts, you'll suddenly find yourself waist-deep in things that you never really thought you'd be capable of before. IMO that's the most exciting thing about learning, and it'll definitely help your confidence and help give you the motivation to not give up.

How were you raised? Not allowed to think about something unless it's taught to you?

My parents are super religious, so you can kind of see how I can be raised to think a certain way if they want me to believe in God full faith like they do.

[Reach]

I used to think I was good at mathematics. I mean, I tutored math for years, got 100% in university Cal II, and took courses like Quantum Physics in undergrad.

And then I look at tests like this and realize I know absolutely nothing about mathematics.

Major props to anyone that can score much of anything on this exam. Even 3 points; nicely done. I'm pretty confident I could not get a single point. haha.

[Reincarnate]

Higher level math is so gross.

I look at the stuff Terry Tao puts out and it's just... nuts. Disgustingly smart guys out there.

[iironiic]

Originally Posted by Reincarnate

Higher level math is so gross.

I look at the stuff Terry Tao puts out and it's just... nuts. Disgustingly smart guys out there.

You're also subscribed to his blog entry?! xD

I haven't been on his site in a while. I should probably go check it out now!

And thanks to everyone who said "congrats" here! (:

[Reach]

Originally Posted by Reincarnate

Higher level math is so gross.

I look at the stuff Terry Tao puts out and it's just... nuts. Disgustingly smart guys out there.

Reading his blog and listening to his lectures makes me intrigued by mathematics. I respect it. It's an interesting field.

I can't imagine doing it for a living though.

I like solving math problems. Problems with a quantifiable solution that can be arrived upon via different methods. I like getting creative with solutions.

Proofs have always gone over my head though. I've never liked them and have never been good at them. Respect to those that can do them. After seeing the work some of my friends in math were doing and that the vast majority of work they do is proofs, I knew I made the right choice by staying out of math >_>


Terence is a pretty crazy guy though. 760 on the SAT math @ age 8? Hah. If you extrapolate that score based on age ratios, that's a performance somewhere around 6 standard deviations above the mean, or about 1 in 1,000,000,000 people. An exceptional guy, no doubt.