[QuantumOverlord]

Does anyone know, out of interest, the importance of IQ in determining mathematics ability. I understand while IQ tests are flawed, the coralation between IQ scores, and maths ability is generally very good.

I suppose my question is, is it even conceivable that someone with an average IQ (like myself) could ever become a good mathematician despite having an IQ ~100 and certainly less than 120.

NB: Please if you are going to post your own IQ scores, for reference, then do not post internet test scores, they are obviously hyper inflated.

[Daniel Freedman]

I don't think "IQ" is something someone has; I think it's more accurate to say "my most recent IQ test score was...". With enough practice it's possible for most people to get near perfect scores on standard IQ tests, so I wouldn't pay much attention to them.

[ApresAlkan]

I agree with Freedman. Mathematics, if learnt properly, are available to everybody... There is nothing which really requires any of the 'abilities' which Intelligence Quotient tests judge...

If you want to excel in mathematics; read:

Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas E. Hofstadter
The Road to Reality by Roger Penrose

Both are not purely mathematical textbooks, but that adds to the interest and understanding.

[Akbar2k7]

Certainly by carl jungs MBTI those with Ne OR Ni OR Ti functions have a far better ability to do well but that doesnt exclude others it just might not be the best course for a sensor as maths is 100% theoretical.

Mbti is far superior to IQ as rather than intelligence it shows how you process the world its just a personality test though

IQ is a flawed system but certainly interesting.

do this test pm me your results ill break it down for you:

ANSWER HONESTLY

link

[BabyMaths]

(Original post by Daniel Freedman)
With enough practice it's possible for most people to get near perfect scores on standard IQ tests.

Could you direct me to the evidence for this?

[Akbar2k7]

(Original post by babymaths)
could you direct me to the evidence for this?

cheatings!

[QuantumOverlord]

(Original post by Akbar2k7)
Certainly by carl jungs MBTI those with Ne OR Ni OR Ti functions have a far better ability to do well but that doesnt exclude others it just might not be the best course for a sensor as maths is 100% theoretical.

Mbti is far superior to IQ as rather than intelligence it shows how you process the world its just a personality test though

IQ is a flawed system but certainly interesting.

do this test pm me your results ill break it down for you:

ANSWER HONESTLY

link

INTJ

89:25 :38 :11

does this help?

[Benniboi1]

This question has intrigued me for a while. I think a big problem is that people who excel in maths (compared to the people around them) are the people who work harder and are more motivated because for a lot of people quite simply believe maths is out of their reach no matter how much they care about it. Furthermore, the people who are motivated and work hard are usually the people who have an above average IQ, so although there is a correlation between IQ and maths ability, I don't know if one causes the other. My money would be on that people who become better at maths will have a higher IQ, but thats just my opinion.

I'm basing what I know on A-level maths (which I know doesn't have anything on degree level and beyond) so sorry if you were asking about a much higher level.

[Akbar2k7]

(Original post by QuantumOverlord)
INTJ

8938:11

does this help?

wow your INTJ one of the best types for a mathematician.

Have confidence in yourself your are capable of alot in the mathematical field.

does this describe you?

[around]

(Original post by ApresAlkan)
I agree with Freedman. Mathematics, if learnt properly, are available to everybody... There is nothing which really requires any of the 'abilities' which Intelligence Quotient tests judge...

If you want to excel in mathematics; read:

Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas E. Hofstadter
The Road to Reality by Roger Penrose

Both are not purely mathematical textbooks, but that adds to the interest and understanding.

actually if you want to excel in maths (as in, excel in DOING maths) then do lots of mathematical problems. no amount of reading is as good as actually doing maths.

also, neither book you mentioned is particularly mathematical.

[Daniel Freedman]

(Original post by BabyMaths)
Could you direct me to the evidence for this?

I'm afraid I can't. I made the statement based on personal experience. Perhaps "most" was too strong, but "a significant number" is probably true

[05sykesd]

As my statistics teacher always said; correlation cannot imply causation
Maths ability and IQ may have a strong correlation however as has already been mentioned you do not [I]need[I] the skills used in IQ tests to be good at maths but it just happens that many people have both and so this link arises. So you can get good at maths through practice whatever your IQ, however maybe it is just that the smarter people know that they will need maths at some point to have a better chance at success and so put effort into practicing it and therefore this correlation is seen

[Kennedy7697]

(Original post by Akbar2k7)
Certainly by carl jungs MBTI those with Ne OR Ni OR Ti functions have a far better ability to do well but that doesnt exclude others it just might not be the best course for a sensor as maths is 100% theoretical.

Mbti is far superior to IQ as rather than intelligence it shows how you process the world its just a personality test though

IQ is a flawed system but certainly interesting.

do this test pm me your results ill break it down for you:

ANSWER HONESTLY

link

5650:67

[InkyOne]

(Original post by Akbar2k7)
Certainly by carl jungs MBTI those with Ne OR Ni OR Ti functions have a far better ability to do well but that doesnt exclude others it just might not be the best course for a sensor as maths is 100% theoretical.

Mbti is far superior to IQ as rather than intelligence it shows how you process the world its just a personality test though

IQ is a flawed system but certainly interesting.

do this test pm me your results ill break it down for you:

ANSWER HONESTLY

link

I'm an E:N:T:J
56 25 38 67

It's really interesting stuff!

[Extricated]

(Original post by around)
actually if you want to excel in maths (as in, excel in DOING maths) then do lots of mathematical problems. no amount of reading is as good as actually doing maths.

also, neither book you mentioned is particularly mathematical.

Do you think that, given the right amount of practice, an 'ordinary' mathematician i.e A level A* grade student could get a 1st in maths at Cambridge or do you think that there is a certain barrier according to ability (personal anecdotes welcome)

[bong]

(Original post by Akbar2k7)
...

Hi mate what would you say this means?

ENTJ
1 25 50 33

[Akbar2k7]

(Original post by bong)
Hi mate what would you say this means?

ENTJ
1 25 50 33

ENTJ:

http://www.personalitypage.com/html/ENTJ.html

[Akbar2k7]

(Original post by InkyOne)
I'm an E:N:T:J
56 25 38 67

It's really interesting stuff!

http://www.personalitypage.com/html/ENTJ.html

[Akbar2k7]

(Original post by Kennedy7697)
5650:67

its the letters that are important.

[Blutooth]

Yeah, I guess I do believe IQ is correlated with mathematical ability. However, I don't believe there is a ceiling on IQ or mathematical ability, you get better with practice. And maths is different from IQ in that it's much easier to improve with practice.

Anecodtal experience:

Spoiler:

Show

Dad was tested as having an iq of 140 at the age of 11 (99.6 percentile) and studied maths at Cambridge with a scholarship.