“You do not study mathematics because it helps you build a bridge. You study mathematics because it is the property of the universe. Its beauty transcends mere things.” (Jonathan David Farley). Ever since I was a child I have always looked at things differently and wondered to myself, “why”. Why does the moon make the waves bigger, why do performance cars go so fast, how can a boat that weighs several tons float and how can a plan fly. None of the subjects that I took as a child helped me answer all my questions I had about the world. There was one subject that just made sense in my head and that made it possible for me to understand why things do what they do, and that was math. Wherever I go whether it be a store, a hike, playing lacrosse, or working on a project with others, I can always use math to help understand things because it developed my analytical thinking as well as my problem solving skills. Now of course to the average person when someone hears math they think of two plus two, or find the value of “x” but math is much more. Math is a way of thinking and numbers and variables are simply letters that help speak the language of math. Math is the ability to think analytically, problem solve, rationalize, and be creative amongst many other things. This curiosity I had with the universe and everything in it and the answers that math provided me with is why I have chosen math as my field of study.
Through the many classes I have taken as a math student I have broadened my knowledge by not only doing well on subjects but also struggling and pushing myself to learn more and do better; and in this process I have realized that there is still so much to learn and I am excited to continue doing so. Math has sharpened my analytical thinking and broadened the way I look at everything. It has also helped me produce strong working habits, as well as an open and creative mind. Through math there have been multiple times that I have been part of a group. This has sharpened my communication skills and ability to work alongside others. Having a background in math means much more than being able solve for “x” it means I am able to think unlike the everyday person, which enables me to solve problems that the everyday person cannot. A major aspect of math is not just solving problems on a sheet of paper but rather being curious and asking questions that lead to an even bigger unknown. This idea of being curious is what I love about math because I am never complacent after finding an answer, I always wonder, “well why is that the answer”. Going back to the quote I stated in the beginning I believe it is important to know that math is more than a bridge. I hope to share my knowledge of math in any form to others, either teaching, helping, or leading. Getting a degree in math means that I am able to see things in a different language and give a unique perspective on things in multiple ways. It also means that I am very detailed oriented and punctual in the things that I do which will help in the real world. Math as not only made me look at things differently but it has also given me the desire to continue to learn and help others in any sort of environment. Like Farley said, its beauty transcends mere things and we live in a world of beauty so I think it is important to be able to see things in a mathematical way.
Through the many classes I have taken as a math student I have broadened my knowledge by not only doing well on subjects but also struggling and pushing myself to learn more and do better; and in this process I have realized that there is still so much to learn and I am excited to continue doing so. Math has sharpened my analytical thinking and broadened the way I look at everything. It has also helped me produce strong working habits, as well as an open and creative mind. Through math there have been multiple times that I have been part of a group. This has sharpened my communication skills and ability to work alongside others. Having a background in math means much more than being able solve for “x” it means I am able to think unlike the everyday person, which enables me to solve problems that the everyday person cannot. A major aspect of math is not just solving problems on a sheet of paper but rather being curious and asking questions that lead to an even bigger unknown. This idea of being curious is what I love about math because I am never complacent after finding an answer, I always wonder, “well why is that the answer”. Going back to the quote I stated in the beginning I believe it is important to know that math is more than a bridge. I hope to share my knowledge of math in any form to others, either teaching, helping, or leading. Getting a degree in math means that I am able to see things in a different language and give a unique perspective on things in multiple ways. It also means that I am very detailed oriented and punctual in the things that I do which will help in the real world. Math as not only made me look at things differently but it has also given me the desire to continue to learn and help others in any sort of environment. Like Farley said, its beauty transcends mere things and we live in a world of beauty so I think it is important to be able to see things in a mathematical way.