Math is Fun, As Long as You Know How

RAFEYFA ASYLA POETRIE NUGRAHA , SMP Teuku Nyak Arief Fatih Bilingual School Student from Banda Aceh, reports from Banda Aceh

Many My friend thinks math is a scary subject. They say the formulas are confusing, the problems are difficult, and even a small mistake can ruin the grade. However, for me, math is actually fun, like a challenge that stimulates curiosity.

I believe that mathematics can become a friend, as long as we know how to approach it.

Since the age of one, I have been familiar with numbers. My father is an alumnus of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), and he could enter ITB because his math grades in high school were always good.

Dad often invited me to play with numbers in daily life. We counted the number of cars passing by on the road, guessed multiples, arranged building blocks while learning about symmetry, and much more. Without me realizing it, all of this was an early introduction to mathematics, and it felt like playing, not studying. Maybe that's why I grew up with a sense of familiarity and comfort with numbers.

At that time, I was not aware that I was learning mathematics. All I knew was that I was playing and having fun with my father.

When I started entering elementary school (SD), I was already accustomed to viewing mathematics not as memorizing formulas, but as a tool for thinking and analyzing. I learned to solve problems not because I was forced, but because of curiosity.

To me, each problem is a puzzle waiting to be solved. My teachers have played a major role in my academic development. My math teacher at school teaches in a fun way: they tell stories, give funny analogies, and even create small challenges that make students interested in solving the problems.

Unfortunately, not all children get and experience such opportunities. Many learn mathematics with an approach that makes it feel rigid and boring. Monotonous practice problems, the demand to memorize formulas, and the pressure of grades often make children afraid of math before they have a chance to truly understand it.

However, I also realize that not all children have the same experience. Many of my friends feel anxious every time math class begins. They complain about the lessons being too fast, fear making mistakes, and sometimes lose confidence in their performance in mathematics.

I think it's not because they are unable, but because the learning method they experience does not provide space for exploration and a sense of safety in asking questions about every difficulty they feel.

The truth is, in daily life, mathematics is present in various activities we do. When we divide a cake fairly among friends, that's division. When comparing the price of shopping items in a store, that's understanding value. When estimating the remaining time before the school bell rings, that's the concept of time and logic. If the approach is more practical and contextual, I am sure many children will be more open to, even fall in love with, mathematics.

Because mathematics is enjoyable, since fourth grade of elementary school, I started to hone my mathematical skills by participating in various mathematics competitions, both national and international.

I participate in the Southeast Asian Mathematical Olympiad (SEAMO) and the Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad (TIMO) every year, as well as several other math competitions. Some I have won, and some I haven't. However, for me, the most valuable thing is not the medals, but the learning process. The competition problems are indeed difficult, but they are challenging and that's where the fun lies. They encourage us to think outside the box, testing our logic from an unusual perspective.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, almost all mathematics competitions have been moved online. Initially, I felt strange because the atmosphere of online competitions is certainly not as intense as face-to-face competitions.

However, it was precisely from that situation that I learned about time management and concentration when facing limited conditions. I had to be disciplined, honest, and able to concentrate in my own home. Technical challenges also tested my patience. One experience that is hard to forget was the frequent internet connection disruptions while working on competition problems.

I feel lucky to be surrounded by a supportive environment for my development, especially my parents who have provided space for exploration and opportunities to try various competitions. However, I believe that every child has the potential to like mathematics, as long as they know and are given the appropriate approach.

Dad and mom always give me space to study and believe in the process towards my goals. If I have questions, they will help. However, if I fail in a competition, they don't blame me, but help me get back up again. They always allow me to participate in any math competitions I want, wherever I want, without ever feeling afraid that I might not win a prize.

I am also grateful to be in a school environment that values academic achievements and gives students opportunities to develop. The patient teachers, the good guidance system, and the supportive friends make me feel that studying mathematics is not a burden, but rather a part of personal growth to pursue a brilliant future.

In my opinion, the key for children to like mathematics at the initial stage or when first introduced to this field is not giving them many problems, but rather providing more meaningful learning experiences. For example, teachers can connect mathematical topics with things that are close to students' real-life experiences. Parents can also introduce mathematical concepts through daily activities.

I believe that mathematics is not only about numbers. It also teaches us how to think logically, systematically, and patiently. In daily life, we do not always know the answers to all problems, but we can learn to arrange steps towards solving these problems. That is the value I have learned from mathematics: that every problem has a solution and a way out, as long as we are willing to think and not give up easily.

Mathematics is not about quickly finding answers, but about training logical, systematic, and consistent thinking. It is an important preparation, not only for exams, but also for life. Mathematics teaches us that every problem has a solution, as long as we are willing to look for it patiently.

I want to invite my peers to give themselves a chance to get to know mathematics from a different perspective. Try to enjoy the thinking process, not just pursue the answer. In this way, you will realize that mathematics is actually not as scary as imagined.

For friends who are afraid of math lessons, I want to say: don't judge something from the first impression. Give yourselves a chance to get to know mathematics in a different way. Because maybe, you will find that mathematics is not as scary as it seems, and even can be fun, if approached in the right way.