Friday, Jul. 25, 2008
MATH WHIZ Boy, 8, Makes Perfect Score on Calculus AP Exam
By Carol Schorn
Contributing Writer
Kristin Kirby/Photo Correspondent
Magnus LaDue, center, is homeschooled by his father Dr. Mark LaDue and mother Dr. Mariana LaDue. Both parents have Ph.D.s in math.
On the day that many high school juniors and seniors were anxiously calling the College Board to find out their scores on the Advanced Placement exams they had taken in May, Mark LaDue was placing the same call for his 8-year-old son, Magnus. Mark was so thrilled with Magnus� results that he called back twice more. Magnus, the youngest person to take the Calculus BC AP test had made a 5 � the highest score possible. Mark and Mariana LaDue , who homeschooled their son, say they made the decision to have Magnus take the exam after he completed instruction in calculus and had mastered the practice exams. Finding a place to take the exam became the next challenge for the family.
Asked how his friends reacted to his remarkable achievement, Magnus replied that he does not have friends other than his parents. Mariana explained that finding friends for the young whiz kid is difficult, and that most of his socializing takes place with her friends� families.
Magnus� remarkable abilities are not confined to mathematics. He also excels at playing the piano. He currently takes lessons with Carol Leone at SMU, and has played at a variety of public venues. Magnus practices four hours each day on a new Steinway piano.
Magnus� talents were evident early on, according to his parents, who said he had learned to read and do addition and subtraction by the age of three. At that time the LaDues, who both have Ph.D.s in mathematics, decided to homeschool their son. Magnus� father quit his job to work with his son. "Magnus is my full-time job" Mark said.
Mark�s role goes far beyond father and teacher. He has set up a Web site about Magnus which boasts of Magnus� mathematical and musical accomplishments. Mark has business cards which give his title as president and CEO of Music Do Love, Magnus� Web site. "I�m very good at advertising him," Mark said.
Mark said he creates his own curriculum for Magnus. He and his wife said they follow their son�s lead, answering his questions and teaching him about whatever subjects he expresses interest in. Magnus is currently teaching himself about knots, using several books as guides.
Mark said his son�s current curriculum does not include English, history, science or foreign languages, as these subjects do not presently interest him.
Although they realize that it is unorthodox, Magnus� parents are pleased with the results.
The 8-year-old has now moved on to more advanced mathematics including linear algebra, differential equations and Mathmatica 6. His parents are hopeful that Magnus can qualify for the American Mathematics Competition in February, 2009, and ultimately earn a spot on the U.S. International Mathematical Olympiad team when he is 10 or 11 years old. The LaDues say they do not plan on sending him to college before age 16 or 17.
In the meantime, the family is looking at various university summer programs.
Mark says that he is also negotiating with Fort Worth Country Day School to provide a specialized educational program for his son in conjunction with Stanford University.
When Mariana suggested the name Magnus for their baby, its Latin meaning � great � was not lost on Mark and he readily agreed.
His motto, which appears on both the Web site and his business cards, is "When we combine Mathematics and Music with Love, the possibilities are endless."
http://cbs11tv.com/local/Mozart.mathematical.Prodigy.2.779538.htmlAny thoughts???
