Driving by matthew

Driving by matthew - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

Mathematics has always been more than just numbers and equations to me; it is a language that reveals the hidden patterns and structures underlying the world around us. My curiosity about this subject began in middle school when I first encountered the Fibonacci sequence. The idea that a simple pattern could describe the spirals of pinecones, the arrangement of sunflower seeds, and even the branching of trees fascinated me. I realized that mathematics wasn't confined to textbooks—it was a fundamental part of nature.

This initial spark of curiosity deepened as I explored more complex mathematical concepts. In high school, I became particularly interested in calculus. I remember driving one afternoon and imagining the graphs that could model the motion of my car. As I pressed the gas pedal, I visualized a position graph showing the increasing distance traveled, a velocity graph illustrating how my speed changed over time, and an acceleration graph reflecting the force I applied to the pedal. It amazed me how calculus could translate something as familiar as driving into a series of elegant, interrelated functions.

I began correlating different driving actions with these graphs. When I accelerated onto the highway, I pictured an acceleration graph spiking upward while the velocity graph sloped upward more gradually. If I coasted, the acceleration graph hovered around zero while the velocity graph maintained a steady incline. Pressing the brakes shifted the acceleration graph into negative territory as the velocity curve bent downward. Even changing lanes made me think about lateral motion and how calculus could model that shift.

Thinking about these graphs helped me understand how derivatives, integrals, and the relationships between them describe the world around us. Derivatives reveal how quickly velocity changes, while integrals measure the total distance traveled by accumulating instantaneous rates of change. This mental exercise demonstrated that calculus is not just abstract theory but a practical tool for interpreting real-world phenomena.

My fascination with mathematical patterns has shaped my academic journey in significant ways. Thinking about these abstract concepts in practical, real-world scenarios has sharpened my analytical thinking and taught me the value of patience and perseverance. Looking ahead, I plan to pursue a degree in mathematics with a focus on actuarial science. I am particularly interested in using mathematical models to assess risk, analyze financial trends, and help businesses make data-driven decisions. My goal is to harness the power of mathematics to contribute to financial stability and support informed planning for the future.

Ultimately, mathematics has transformed the way I view the world. It has taught me that beneath the apparent randomness of life lies a beautiful, intricate order—a discovery that continues to fuel my intellectual curiosity and academic ambitions.