Maths prodigy Arran Fernandez, 15, becomes youngest Cambridge student since 1773

[babu M]

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 9:49 AM on 3rd September 2010

A boy of 15 who has never been to school has become the youngest student for more than 200 years to win a place at Cambridge University.

Arran Fernandez, who was educated at home by his father, Neil, will start a mathematics degree at Fitzwilliam College next month.

It will make him the youngest Cambridge student since 14-year-old William Pitt the Younger studied there in 1773.

Last night the child prodigy said: ‘I am looking forward to going to the lectures.‘I have already started the first-year books and it is all right, not too difficult.
‘I am excited about going to Cambridge but I am used to making records about being the youngest in education.’

Arran, who plans to join the bird-watching society instead and go punting on the Cam while at university, was five when he became the youngest person to be awarded a GCSE, after passing maths.

He was offered the place at Cambridge in January, when he was 14, on the condition he gained an A-level in physics, which he achieved with an A* grade. Arran had already gained a grade A in further maths last year and an A in maths in 2008.

Cambridge also asked him to sit three GCSEs in subjects which were not related to maths and physics to broaden his knowledge. He gained A*s in English literature
and French and an A in English language this summer.

Arran’s degree course, which is called a tripos at Cambridge University, is widely considered to be one of the hardest in the world. Former scholars include Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking.

Arran and his father will live in a rented house in Cambridge. His mother Hilde will stay at the family home in Surrey and see her son on weekends and in holidays.

The teenager, who is an only child, has also written a book on Shakespeare’s plays and is in talks with publishers. He said he hopes to have a career as a research mathematician.

His GCSE pass at the age of five beat the record previously held by maths prodigy
Ruth Lawrence, who gained hers at nine. She went to Oxford University at the age of 12 and now – at 39 – is a maths professor in Jerusalem.

He has said he would like to solve the Riemann hypothesis - a theory about the patterns of prime numbers which has baffled the greatest mathematicians for 150 years.

The University has not accepted anyone of his age since William Pitt the Younger was offered a place as a 14-year-old in 1773.

Cambridge Senior Tutor Dr Paul Chirico said: 'Fitzwilliam College is pleased to confirm that Arran Fernandez has achieved the conditions of his offer to read Mathematics at the University of Cambridge.

'Fitzwilliam considers all applications to the College very carefully, regardless of background. Arran was assessed as part of this well-established process, and his considerable academic potential was recognised.'


MTAZAMO: Huyu mtoto miaka 5 kasha pasi GCSE wakati sisi ndiyo tupo chekechea.
Hivi ni vitu gani vinasababisha hawa wanafunzi wanchi zilizo endelea kupata maksi za juu miaka ya karibuni kwa umri mdogo na sisi kuendelea kupata matokeo ya chini kwa umri mkubwa?

 

[Misterdennis]

Mkuu, sio wote ni wa huko majuu. Na pia nadhani sio kweli kwamba na sisi hatuna watoto ambao wana vipaji vya namna hiyo,; tatizo hapa kwetu na nchi nyingi za "dunia ya tatu" ni opportuity. Mtoto anakuwa nakipaji hicho, lakini wazazi hawana capacity au competency ya kugundua kuwa mtoto wao ana kipaji kama hicho. Matokeo yake anaishia kuchunga ng'ombe huko kwenye imigunchangubo (porini/ bushi).
Wenzetu huko "majuu" ni rahisi ku m -monitor mtoto na kujua potential yake very early in life na kufanya ze nidifu:becky:

 

[babu M]

Mkuu, sio wote ni wa huko majuu. Na pia nadhani sio kweli kwamba na sisi hatuna watoto ambao wana vipaji vya namna hiyo,; tatizo hapa kwetu na nchi nyingi za "dunia ya tatu" ni opportuity. Mtoto anakuwa nakipaji hicho, lakini wazazi hawana capacity au competency ya kugundua kuwa mtoto wao ana kipaji kama hicho. Matokeo yake anaishia kuchunga ng'ombe huko kwenye imigunchangubo (porini/ bushi).
Wenzetu huko "majuu" ni rahisi ku m -monitor mtoto na kujua potential yake very early in life na kufanya ze nidifu:becky:

KUna watoto wengi ambao wazazi zao wanawapeleka nchi nyingine iliwapate elimu bora na wengine wanatafutiwa waalimu wa kuwafundisha nyumbani baada ya shule, sasa hawa wote hawawezi kugundua kama watoto wao wanavipaji?