ALGEBRA, trigonometry and quadratic equations are enough to send a shiver down the spine of most adults.

The intimidating terms conjure up terrible images of toiling over maths books and hours of boredom in a cold schoolroom.

However, they bring a smile to the face of one child prodigy who is celebrating after getting one of the highest A-level grades in the country - at the age of just ten.

Standing at just 4ft tall, Wajih Ahmed may have been dwarfed by his fellow pupils, but he has no plans to stop now - he hopes to study further maths, English and the sciences and possibly start university at 14.

He said: "I was a bit nervous before I sat the exam but I tried to be positive and I was really happy when I got my results.

"Maths is my favourite subject at school and I really enjoy football. I'm not quite as good at football as I am at maths though."

This is not the first time this junior number cruncher has wowed examiners - at nine he scooped an A* in GCSE maths.

Watch the maths-off between Wajih and Echo reporter Simon Carr

However Wajih, of Bere Close, Chandler's Ford, is facing stiff competition from his little brother Zohaib who, at eight, has sat his maths GCSE and is anxiously awaiting his results.

Zohaib said: "I'm really excited about getting them. I look up to my brother and he helps me with bits I don't understand."

He also shares his big brother's ambition of working in the city as an actuary in the finance sector.

Wajih is the youngest child to get an A in A-level maths this year - the second youngest ever.

His dad Usman, who works for the Ministry of Defence, said he realised his two sons were particularly gifted when they were about five and able to do advanced maths and soon arranged with their school in Farnborough for them both to take their own work to do in class.

He said: "We are really pleased for Wajih. I also think English is the main communication skill and maths is the main thinking skill. With both I think you can do anything."

Mum Saadia said: "I'm so proud of Wajih, I think I was more nervous then him.When he got the A I called my husband at work and cried."

Asked where he gets his brains from, Wajih credits his parents, who used to encourage him not just to bounce balls but to count them when he was small.

It was not just his parents who were impressed with his scholastic achievements - Southampton University maths professor Alistair Fitt lavished praise on the mini mathematician.

He said: "To get a top grade at A-level mathematics at the age of ten is a magnificent achievement and shows tremendous ability.

"Well done to Wajih. It is good to hear of someone so young doing so well."

Wajih will be continuing his education at Knightswood Primary School.

  • Can you solve this maths problem, as set by Wajih?

Find the points of intersection between the straight line: x = y - 2 and the circle: x2 + y2 = 10.

Click here for the solution