She Jia: Reframe your thoughts to see mathematics as another way to define the world around you.
OUR lives are filled with numbers. Be it in stocks, computing algorithms, or the engineering of structures, we are surrounded by mathematics – immersed in its immutable rules that are made concrete by logic and rationality. While there may be some who are uncomfortable with its firm governance in our world, perceiving it as a tedious subject, we cannot deny that it has been a reliable compass in navigating us through our daily lives with its many applications.
How useful is mathematics to us? Sure, it is useful in figuring out the budget for groceries, estimating travelling times, and altering measurements for a recipe, but how about beyond the basic matters?
Does memorising formulas, equations or integrals then become unnecessary, save for those pursuing courses with a heavy emphasis on mathematics?
Mathematics opens up a way to process information. Not only is it the foundation of physics, chemistry and biology, enabling us to apply scientific concepts to our environments quantitatively, it is also a universal language that virtually permeates every field, helping us to comprehend our surroundings, sometimes even simplifying them for us.
How is it a language? Language simply comprises a collection of representative signs which, when strung together, intend to convey some component of the human experience, tangible or otherwise.
Letters form words, which form sentences, which form paragraphs. Similarly, mathematics involves exploring the possibilities of visual symbolic representations in the form of algebra and other commonly recognised denotations.
Numbers form expressions, which form equations, which form systems. If we can intuitively describe a set of patterns with distinct words on paper, what is stopping us from designating the patterns with logically ordered, universally accepted discrete characters instead?
Easily, this encourages computational thinking and sensible reasoning, affording us the ability of critically evaluating various phenomena in a way that can be understood by the rest of the world.
But mathematics goes beyond that. It makes us adaptable in this complex and ambiguous society by striving to grasp issues on a deeper level.
In mathematics, while there are laws to guide us, if we fail to realise the conceptual underpinnings of those laws, we are unable to proceed with solving the problem.
This is reflected in real life. Growing up, we may be so hyper-focused on taking a cookie-cutter approach towards our situation that we grapple with new information whenever we are presented with an obstacle that does not closely resemble our previous circumstances. When we understand the principles of mathematics, this skill is transferable towards real life, allowing us to learn how to apply structure to this chaotic world.
And learning mathematics is an acquisition of an underrated superpower, as there are pleasures in life that may be solely achievable through mathematics. You can use functions to demonstrate multifarious patterns, even of those in nature. An instance would be plotting graphs to capture the perfectly symmetrical distribution of spots on a pair of butterfly wings.
Furthermore, using Poincaré maps, which highlight points of intersection between a two-dimensional plane and a multi-dimensional “phase space”, we are able to monitor the paths of stars, which are typically a tangled mess in our galaxy.
Imagine narrowing the endless trajectory of a star into absolute points across a graph! So, rather than think yourself trapped within the confines of mathematics, reframe your thoughts to see it as another way to define the world around you.
Having scored As in the subject as a student, and picked up a bronze medal at the Singapore Mathematical Olympiad last year, I have found mathematics to be immensely rewarding.
My favourite quote about mathematics comes from Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani: “The beauty of Mathematics only shows itself to more patient followers.”
I wish you all the best in your mathematical endeavours!
Tips for doing well
Put in effort in answering practice questions
Practice makes perfect is a hackneyed saying, but it is only so because it holds some truth.
Applying what one learns contextually with many practice questions is a surefire way of challenging one’s comprehension of the formulas and enabling one to link the concepts together during problem-solving.
Even after understanding the concepts, one should perform one’s due diligence and refresh the topics learnt from time to time to ingrain the concepts in one’s memory.
Be meticulous
Comprehending the concept will not suffice. In one’s exercises, even though the formulas were correctly applied, should there be any subsequent errors in translating the information to the end, this may indicate an underlying carelessness or “blind spot” in one’s mathematical thinking.
Pay attention to method of presentation
Organise your thoughts to be in a coherent, logical flow of equations. As mentioned earlier, a system of equations has parallels to a cohesive paragraph.
If one presents one’s workings in a step-by-step, orderly fashion, it becomes easier to spot errors. The same applies to when one learns new concepts, focusing on one at a time in a structured manner.
Break limits of imagination
Often, although some people tend to segregate it as a subject from real life, innately we know that it is hardly the case.
With the power of visualisation, we can enhance our understanding of the problem at hand and derive the necessary equations for issue resolution.
Hence, vividly envisage the problem, and one will find that mathematics is rewarding for those who have appropriately practised it, providing predictability and consistency in its objective answers.
She Jia, 19, a Malaysian student in Singapore, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For more information, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
Now that you have read the article, test your understanding by carrying out the following English language activities.
1. In what way does mathematics play an important role in your life? Give three examples.
2. How would you motivate a friend who is struggling with mathematics in school? Using words and pictures from today’s copy of the Sunday Star newspaper, design a motivational card for your friend. In your card, use at least one of She Jia’s tips for doing well in the subject.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes the use of English language in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
