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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

First you say "There's no way to earn high scores on AMC10 or AIME without mastery of algebra, geometry, and beyond. ", then you say "got a 5 on the AP calc exam, then he has mastered the material and all of the foundational materials."

I agree on the AMC, but getting a 5 on AP calculus is nowhere near as hard as getting a high AMC 10 score (which is only early algebra and geometry!) and yet Mr 5 on AP Calculus didn't mention trying his hand at the AMC 10 (let alone AIME or AMC 12). Not even a mention of the AMC 8 (prealgebra) which surely would have have merited a mention for winning an honor 3 years early. Meanwhile, Terence Tao, who also took calculus in 5th grade, won a medal at the International Math Olympiad the same year. 
I'm not saying everyone taking early calculus should be an IMO winner, but someone who "masters"  calculus young would have something beyond the basic curriculum to show for it.

It's simply a fact that most people who take calculus don't hang on to their math knowledge. This fact is driving the current massive reform movement to slow down math acceleration and teach more deeply.

[/quote]

Not everyone has to follow Terence Tao or some other random dude’s path. Maybe the kid’s passion is something other than International Math Olympiad, and did calculus as a challenge. Even in the article it is mentioned that he was interested in entrepreneurship, I don’t think working hard for an IMO qualification would get him any closer to that goal. The kid doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone even if he just sticks to the ‘basic’ curriculum and has nothing to ‘show’ later on. Show to whom? Someone can be interested in math in middle school and discover they love chemistry or engineering in high school. [/quote]

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