Interview; What´s mathematics and algebra for you?

For the present interview, I could ask a 4th year student in mathematics and informatics double degree student of the Polytechnic university of Madrid about his career and how he sees things inside it. The name of the student is Alejandro Ortega de los Ríos and he offered himself to respond all the questions I had about his passion: mathematics.

Me: Hello Alejandro, first off I will like to thank you because of giving me your time in order to answer my questions.

Alejandro: No problem.

Me: Well so first of all, I would like to ask you why mathematics.

Alejandro: Since I was a little kid, mathematics were a field that impassioned me so much. Of course I am not going to lie, I had doubts since we only live once and I did not want to commit to something I would not like in the future... that is why I had to decide between engineerings and mathematics... but at the very end, I let my heart decide and I studied what I love, and not thinking about the future... and so far I think I chose correctly.

Me: Why you think mathematics are no so interesting for kids of our days?

Alejandro: How mathematics are taught in schools... I do not think is the way to make them appreciate it. You go to a student, tell him: You have to do this or you will not pass, and repeat the course and see you next year... it is not the way to do it. I am not saying I got the key, but when I was in school, I had good and bad teachers. This last ones made me think this subject was hateful, but the first one made me think the opposite. Mathematics has to be taught as a tool for life... something we all need to use if we want to success, not just as a tool for passing or failing exams, because this is not the way to learn. Making kids feel mathematics is the alternative way.

Me: What would you do in order to change this?

As I said, I do not have the key... but I repeat, making kids feel mathematics, showing them that it is an useful tool for life... just as an example, I´ve been watching a series called "Breaking Bad" for the last months. In this series, the main character is a school chemistry teacher. During the episodes, he shows how he has the biggest weapon no one has: knowledge in the fields of mathematics and chemistry, which lets him get whatever he wants with simple formulas he applies. He is able to fabricate artificial bombs, batteries for cars, electrical systems... this is the way of teaching kids, showing how useful it can be for them in the future.

Me: Well, and now let´s get deeper into the topic. What´s algebra for you?

Alejandro: Algebra is just a branch of mathematics... let´s call it the advanced mathematics. For me, algebra is the key for understanding absolutely everything, from simple mechanisms to the laws that rule in the universe.

Algebra Picture.

Me: Why is it so important knowing about algebra?

Alejandro: Without algebra, the world we know nowadays would not be the same. Computers for instance are programmed with algebraic equations and systems. Mobile phones, structures... absolutely everything, even those investigations scientists do out of the Earth to learn about the outer space... I repeat, absolutely everything is algebra, and is the tool humans use for developing.

Me: How you see yourself in the future=

Alejandro: Buff... not really sure, but hope involved in big projects.

Me: Ok Alejandro, thanks you for giving me your time.

Alejandro: Do not worry, it has been a pleasure. Bye.