A Formula to Solve by Aliyah

A Formula to Solve by Aliyah - April 2019 Scholarship Essay

Middle school math tests are the worst, but they are even worse when you have no idea on how to do the work on them. I am proud to say that I never once left a problem unsolved and blank. However, my issue with math still remains partly unsolved. Academically speaking, I am an English major on report cards but a science major at heart. Understanding mathematics and my fear to acquire help, has been my challenge ever since I was younger. I believe that I have changed; my math scores may have not gotten completely there yet.

I have encountered many math problems and formulas I cannot solve. Rather than recall a formula on its own, I can recall the many times I have shed tears working on math homework and tests. In addition, that, by the way, I can hardly do, I have strayed away from any mathematical question on the planet. Someone could ask me how to do a problem and I would point them to the next person.

Shockingly, I changed.

Instead of continuing on my path of mathematical destruction, I stepped up this past year. In the beginning of my junior year, this year to be exact, I walked up to my algebra II teacher's desk and told her my fears. She assured me that everything would be fine in her instruction, and I believed her, for awhile at least.

The moment she introduced the quadratic formula, she claimed that we would have learned it in algebra I; which I could not even remember taking. I remember thinking back to that day with anxiety. I immediately went back to my teacher with consternation that I could not perform well in her course. She quickly explained that the quadratic formula was what you use to solve the quadratic equation and find the roots of the equation. To tell the truth, that formula was the root of all my problems.

The next few weeks in algebra was pretty hard for me. However, I kept asking questions and solving the problems laid out on the homework. Each paper kept getting easier the more and more I went to my teacher for guidance. People started asking me questions about their problems; they could not find the roots of the equation. I had found the roots.

The quadratic formula became a part of my daily life as a student. Writing down the formula, finding the quadratic equation, and finding the roots by factoring it out. I learned to solve my hardest formula. Struggling in math is not my core issue in school; it is my fear to embrace a person willing to help. All those years of turmoil in my math classes could have been avoided if I just factored to find my roots.

The answer to your roots can be positive or negative, but only one person who can solve the equation. If you cannot solve it yourself, you get help. I am blessed to say that my teacher helped me better my math skills and taught me to speak up. My roots are negative; born from years of crying over math tests and a fear to speak up. I do not cry over my math tests anymore. I actually do very well; all thanks to solving my equation.

Find the roots of your toughest equation and never leave a problem blank, you will lose points on the math test for that.