An Ode to Mathematics
By Kim Seung-Chan (David)
Dear Mathematics
Let me be frank. You might remember when I firstly met you in the elementary school. I was an eight-year-old boy who did not even know what ‘Mathematics’ is, right? Of course, I clearly remember the first day at elementary school. I kept turning and turning the pages in freshmen mathematics textbook, but I still didn’t know how to do add ‘three’ to ‘sixteen’, whereas others around me could already recite the multiplication table with ease. I felt so shamed that my friends were all good at arithmetic unlike me.
But I didn’t give up. In the school, I learned how to do add, subtract, multiply and divide. I also recited multiplication table and basic concepts of geometry, algebra and probability. My math teacher taught me how to solve problems as well. Step by step and year by year, I studied you, Mathematics, and made myself proficient in solving math problems.
I remember, dear Mathematics, middle school life was when I started to enjoy you a lot. My math teacher asked me, “Why don’t you participate in Mathematics competition, Seung-Chan? You have so far improved a lot and you’ll do a great job in the competition” At first, I hesitated. Up until then I have never thought I was better at math than others were. However, she strongly encouraged me to challenge upcoming math competition.
Since then, I tried to solve really hard and complicated problems. It was quite interesting to learn number theories, inequality techniques, and Euclidean geometry. The more I learned you, Mathematics, the more I was attracted by your beauty and purity. Whenever I learned new formula of equations, I applied them into other hard questions. Whenever I studied new geometrical theories, I drew them again and again to thoroughly understand them. Whenever I faced with challenging problems, I never gave up. Instead, I tried to come up with new solutions and new techniques. Even though my solutions were often wrong and flimsy, I learned so many things through trying those wrong solutions as well.
Now I am high school student and I’m in Korean Minjok Leadership Academy. But if I hadn’t met and enjoyed you, mathematics, I would have never received many awards and medals in the competitions. Maybe, my passion and love toward Mathematics, you, was perhaps a propelling force for me to challenge to enter KMLA, which is Korea’s best gifted high school.
Regretfully, during my high school life, I haven’t so far put much attention to you, Mathematics. I have so many burdening tasks to do. I have to memorize all the SAT words, prepare for Physics Quiz and write European History term paper. Now I have my own problems, so I have no time to solve your problems. I feel really sorry. But please know this: I was so happy to learn you. I have enjoyed you a lot. Even though there are so many things to do, I will never forget you forever.
