A Deeper Appreciation

            I honestly have never given much thought about where the principles in Mathematics originated. My primary goal in Math class has always been to pass and move on. Of course, I trained myself to try to understand the basics because even a 6-year-old kid would know it is essential, but I’ve never tried, nor have I ever had the desire, to dig deeper than what was being presented in class.

I and Mathematics have never been more than acquaintances. I thought it would never be more than that but after watching the first episode of this series, I can actually say that everything got even more complicated. Before, there was only how to come up with this number if you’re given these sets of numbers or something like that but then I find out about some ancient people who used math in totally mind-twisting ways and actually trying to create bigger problems for themselves. I mean, the Egyptians, why couldn’t they have just built a cube shaped tomb? Why did it have to be pyramidal?

“I can’t understand why they would find these things interesting,” is what I thought to myself at the time we were watching the video, but having been able to think about it for a few days I may not really understand why they are the way they are because I don’t know much about their culture but I have to say that they are an incredibly amazing people. Everyone knows that the Greeks, the Egyptians, and the Mesopotamians are all brilliant people. I’m not sure that I could ever be like them but anyone who is passionate about something so much so that they influenced the world as we know it and contributed greatly to the lives we live now in the modern age is definitely worth acknowledgement and appreciation. So who am I to criticize them for their choices? As mind-boggling their interest in Math is, they were able to create beautiful things—things we hold as treasures today. Their discoveries are able to help make our lives easier now and are able to help others who are pursuing the same interest as they were before. My understanding of Math may not have changed with this knew found knowledge but it definitely made me more appreciative and curious about the principles, and stories surrounding Math and the way it has influenced people through the ages.