Kia Ora, I am
Ashly Sio
And this is my Maths 102 Creative Work
This is a simple website created in April of 2024. It is inspired by CodeHal and my previous website projects.
page from my old website CodeHalThis is a simple website created in April of 2024. It is inspired by CodeHal and my previous website projects.
page from my old website CodeHalMathematics is a subject that I used to like when I was much younger. I have always appreciated the structured nature of maths and how solutions are clear-cut, but I think my highly structured life, with little room for mistakes, pushes me away from maths. Besides the structure, I was surrounded by people who excelled at maths, which led my younger self to prefer excelling in something less competitive (a decision I regret to this day). As I progressed in mathematics, I struggled to adapt to certain teaching styles, leaving me completely lost in anything maths-related. Even now in university, I enjoy some aspects of maths, but I don't think I will ever purely enjoy it for its own sake. While I thrive in structured environments, lists, and organisation, I find the flow and freedom of expression in English appealing, where mistakes and opinions are welcomed. I've also realised that although mathematics itself may not bring absolute joy to my life, it is essential for achieving the dreams I aspire to be.
I find it disconcerting that mathematics will always be relevant in my life. Maybe not the entire Pythagorean Theorem and similar mathematical concepts, but nearly everything involves mathematics, and the thought of that bothers me in a way that I have to rely on it to actually do good or be better in life. An example would be the thought of making this website feels fun but maths is involve throught the process which sometimes can be discouraging.
Mathematics is mathematics. There are times when I appreciate the beauty of mathematics, and other times when I find myself less enamored. I am aware that many people experience this love-hate relationship with maths, and I find myself in a similar situation. Despite the occasional challenges, I am continually fascinated by the way mathematics pervades almost every aspect of our lives. From the intricate patterns in nature to the algorithms driving modern technology, maths plays a fundamental role in shaping our understanding of the world. While I may not always enjoy every aspect of mathematics, I recognise its undeniable importance and utility across diverse fields. It's intriguing how mathematics provides a universal language for solving problems and expressing complex ideas.
The term 'Mathematics' holds profound beauty for me. Setting aside its various aspects and branches, I believe the word itself conveys the complexity and purpose of the subject. I remember researching the word's meaning and origin, which sparked even more questions, a testament to my deep curiosity. Nonetheless, I retained the knowledge that it is a Greek-derived word meaning 'to learn,' a fact that I find particularly beautiful. I do mention that I dislike this aspect, but at the same time, I appreciate how maths is involved in nearly everything: from medicine, programming, business, engineering (obviously), law, music, forensic investigation, and just about every field. I like how diverse it is, with different fields requiring different levels of maths relevant to their studies. This just deepens my appreciation for maths.
Mathematics is like its own language. The more I navigate through life, the more I realize I have to learn different languages and types of maths. Different careers come with their own jargon and specific branches of maths. While basic arithmetic and common greetings like 'Hi' and 'Thank You' can get you by, they won't take you very far. I might not enjoy maths the way others do, but I know I'm embodying the essence of mathematics, which is all about learning.
It is quite saddening to think that even a beautiful thing such as maths will not be appreciated by everyone. Maths is not something I'll always like but all the things that I want to achieve involves maths. From music theory, coding and programming, cooking and baking, to actually traveling. Although I hate to admit it, mathematics has been and will always be a part of my life, perhaps everyone's life. While I may find it hard to love all of it, there's no harm in appreciating certain aspects.