Hawking wanted to specialise in mathematics in his last couple of years at school where his mathematics teacher had inspired him to study the subject. However Hawking's father was strongly against the idea and Hawking was persuaded to make chemistry his main school subject.
Hawking to specialise sa matematika sa kanyang huling dalawang taon sa paaralan kung saan ang kanyang matematika guro ay inspirasyon sa kanya upang pag-aralan ang paksa. Subalit Hawking's ama ay Matindi ang laban sa mga ideya at Hawking ay hikayat na gumawa ng kimika kanyang pangunahing paaralan paksa.