Mathematically Gifted Students

How Gifted Learners Differ from Classmates	Relationship to Mathematics Learning
1. Pace at which they learn	1. The sequential nature of math content makes pacing an issue.
2. Depth of their understanding	2. Deeper levels of understanding and abstraction are possible for most mathematical topics, so differentiation becomes important.
3. Interests that they hold (Maker, 1982, 2009)	3. If the interest is snuffed out early, the talent may not be developed.

Rotigel and Fello (2004) provide the following summary of mathematical talent characteristics:

Keen awareness and curiosity about numbers
Fast rate of acquisition specifically geared toward understanding and applying mathematical ideas
Ability to work and think about abstract mathematical patterns and relationships
Possession of analytical, deductive, and inductive reasoning skills without exposure to these abilities
Ability to use flexible and creative thinking, rather than sequential or standard forms of reasoning, to approach mathematical problems
Ability to transfer mathematical reasoning to new and untaught situations.