what the hell is math?

What the hell is mathematics?

(Jessie Cordial)

Trigonometric functions, equations, logarithms, exponentials, SOCAHTOA and Angles. Don’t ever try to ask me what these are and what are these supposed to be because it really boggles my mind. Even solving basic mathematics like division feels like a crucifix for me. Don’t ask me why, I don’t know why, It just feels like that.

I’ve known so many people who do great when it comes to mathematics. I keep on asking them how they can merge themselves to that boring and confusing world of numerical computations. They told me that they can do that because they love math. And I think that it’s the only way for me to perform math properly too. Great! It sounds easy. The only problem is that I don’t really love math that much. The truth is I HATE math! (For all the mathematicians and math lovers who reach this part of my blog, please do not be offended because I’m just expressing what I feel.)

Alright, let me get straight to the point because I’m losing it. My question is what the hell is mathematics? I’ve already known and heard so many answers from other people but it didn’t quiet satisfy me. They said that mathematics is the study of quantity, structure, space and change, that mathematics is the tool of physics and that math is used for our logical reasoning. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s how math goes. But the big question is, (I use the term big question because this is most commonly asked question about mathematics by the mathematical morons like me) How or can we really apply all those mathematical equations and functions in the reality of our lives? Are we going to solve for SOCAHTOA in order for us to cook rice properly? Are we supposed to perform the linear equation to walk from one place to another? And do we need to solve for logarithmic functions just to properly do our private rituals in the bathroom? The Answer is, NO WE CAN’T!

So what is the real essence of mathematics?

The answer came to me on a warm sunny day in our Trigonometry class. Our professor asked this question to us one by one; "for you what’s the essence of Mathematics?" Some of my classmates answered him properly and some just stood up and act or pretend like their world suddenly stopped on spinning. As the question get’s closer to me, I thought of a satisfying answer.

“Jessie, How about you?”

“Sir, Mathematics develops our critical thinking.”

“Yes, that’s it.”

Wow!, for the first time, I delivered a correct statement about mathematics. But I don’t really mean it.

“But it’s not the only thing.” Our professor said. “Performing mathematics is an important practice for you students to face the challenges that are waiting for you in the future.”

That statement strucked me like a lightning and burned my mind to death for a second (seriously). What the hell. In my whole life I never realized that mathematics is really that important. My professor is right, solving those mind boggling equations is like solving those soul breaking problems that all of us students are going to face in the future. And accepting the challenge of mathematics now is good because it could be a good training for us to condition ourselves in facing the challenges of the world. Math is meant to be a challenge and so does life.

Thank God I now realize the importance of math. Maybe starting now I will try to listen and understand every lessons and discussions that I will have concerning mathematics.

(I hope I will be able to do the things that I mentioned on the last sentence of my blog. God help me.)