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S3 or M3: which is more difficult?

My FM class are very pro-M3 and have spent the past year convincing our teacher to enter us for this module rather than S3, despite the fact he's never taught it before. GRR! I've heard M3 is much more difficult than S3. I realise it's fairly subjective, but would you agree? I'm not overjoyed at the prospect of even more mechanics...

Reply 1

James

Mechanics is generally much harder than statistics at A-level.

Reply 2

Hashshashin

James Gurung

Mechanics is generally much harder than statistics at A-level.

But also (again generally) more interesting.

OP, if you can't face doing it then don't, but you say you can't bear the idea of another Mechanics module - do you not feel the same about Statistics after having done S1 and S2?

Reply 3

Timba

S3 much easier.. M3 much more interesting but very hard

Reply 4

uk_chip

well i hav done m3 and am about to sit the exam soon.. i can tell you i love it its amazing but *** me i cant do it for ****! i can do some of it for a while but then i jsut forget it all :frown:

i need to elarn it again in 3-4 b4 the test now lol... and its really hard but very interesting... i ahve done the first chapter of s3 and our class is going to continue it and take it in june iv been told by my teacher s3 is easier than the mechanics modules so im taking both n ill choose whatever one gives me higher no doubt its going to be s3 tho lol

Reply 5

Glutamic Acid

I'd imagine S3, but I'd imagine M3 would be far more erotic.

Reply 6

fusionskd

Glutamic Acid

I'd imagine S3, but I'd imagine M3 would be far more erotic.

LMAO Nicely put! :p:

Reply 7

peach plum pear

Glutamic Acid

I'd imagine S3, but I'd imagine M3 would be far more erotic.

Hehe! Personally, stats makes me horny, but each to their own.

How much harder is M3 than M2? At the end of the M2 unit I felt I understood it reasonably well, but if M3 is much more difficult, I won't really stand a chance.

I might self-teach D1 I guess?

Reply 8

hmjessop

I've just started S3 today. The book is about half the size of the M3 one and my teacher says it is a lot easier. Plus I did M1 and M2 last year and have just done S1 and S2 yesterday so Stats is fresh in my mind.

Reply 9

Saturday Night Special

Apparently M2 -> M3 is a fairly sizeable jump. Im taking S3 instead of M3 really because I enjoy stats more than mechanics.

Reply 10

Epitomessence

I haven't studied S3 so can't really comment but M3 is ridiculously difficult. We were studying Elastic potential today and my teacher spent half the lesson on one question cos we all got so stuck. :s-smilie:

Reply 11

Pulkpull

M3 is definitely harder. I'm so going to fail the exam tomorrow. I managed to get through S3 pretty easy without a whole lot of learning though.

Reply 12

Swayum

This thread is really scaring me about M3 which we've just started.

I can't compare M3 vs S3 but as far as M2 vs S2 goes, M2 is harder. And as far as M1 vs S1 goes, M1 is harder. I find statistics more interesting (and more useful) than mechanics but mechanics questions require way more thinking + maths. Like literally 75% of S1 + S2 can be done for you on a good calculator.

Reply 13

thelostchild

I'm doing M3 at the moment and find it much easier than S3 simply because I find Stats so boring that I cant be arsed to do any work for it, mechanics on the other hand I enjoy :smile:

Reply 14

sugar_cane

I would probably say stats is easier but you can lose a lot of marks on the Stats paper really quickly, whereas personally I find that there's a lot more logic with the M3 questions.

Reply 15

Trevor 12345

TBH it really is a matter of opinion.
Taught the right way, M3 is a piece of cake. Do not be put off by what you may hear.
A nice clear and detailed diagram, well layed out approach, numbered equations and you are fine.

Reply 16

100% Mathmo

I'll second what Mr M said. It is a matter of opinion.

I have taken M1, S1, M2 and just taken M3 today. With mechanics it is purely a matter of good training in techniques of answering questions:
(if in doubt DRAW A DIAGRAM!) and although M3 may look harder (to some) it relies a lot more on thought and is less prone to calculator errors.

But seriously if you did well in M1 and M2, I wouldn't have said it is that big a step as some people have said. The same principles apply although it should be said that M3 does rely quite a bit on C3 and C4 work, so if pure maths is not your strong point, S3 is a much better option.

As a converted Mechanics mathematician I will have to say that M3 is a lot more interesting and diverting than manipulating numbers to make them say what you want! But then again its a personal choice (just choose M3!).

Reply 17

generalebriety

peach plum pear

How much harder is M3 than M2?

It's like 21 litres harder.

Err, I'd say a jump comparable to C2/C3.

Reply 18

Notnek

I found M3 easier than M2 because I had had more experience with mechanics when I learnt M3.

I didn't realise how many people thought that there's a big jump from M2 to M3. Does anyone have statistics to back this up?

I didn't do S3 but i've learnt most of its content in uni and I dont think there's anything too challenging in it.

Reply 19

peach plum pear

Hmmm interesting. Well we're officially doing M3 now, and you've all scared me. I had a big needless stress about it today :frown:

Actually, the fact that it relies much more on pure maths is quite positive; this applied nonsense isn't really my cup of tea.

Thanks for all your opinions.

And 100% Mathmo, I always draw diagrams :wink:

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