Math Is Everywhere

Written By Everett McKee

ALEX Interview segment with UH Hilo junior Vanessa Aguire. Video fimed and edited by ALEX Reporter, Everett McKee.

Vanessa Aguirre, a junior at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, has taken the time to pass her knowledge down to younger generations. Currently a double major in math and psychology, Aguirre is an avid student of mathematics who privately tutors high school honors math students. She spends a few hours a day helping with math homework as well as preparing students for tests. The secret to math is like everything else, practice. In math there are numerous steps to solving these long equations.

“Parents who come to me realize that their children are at a level beyond their comprehension.” Aguirre stated. Its not because they are un-educated but because they have not been practicing the steps to solving these particular problems. This lesson has played out for both parties as Aguirre also has learned the importance of practice.

One thing that she noted was the importance of teaching. In her own classes she has had the benefit of not only studying the information her professors present, but she has also benefitted from the way in which the professors teach their courses. This has helped her to not only understand material better but helps to grasp the knowledge to in turn teach it herself. In math there is a system to work problems from beginning to end, with that, terminology must also be incorporated for further explanations. Not only has her problem solving skills developed, but also her mathematical vocabulary.

UH Hilo Psychology and Math major, Vanessa Aguirre privately tutors a Waiakea High School Freshman. Photo provided by Vanessa Aguirre.

“When you're young, as a student, you assume that you can take over the class. After this experience I realized it’s easier thought than done,” Aguirre said. Which is understandable, as math is a process and skipping a step could bring the entire pyramid of the equation tumbling down.

Like most students, Aguirre is just as curious in understanding where her path in life will lead her next. “I dont think I ever considered teaching up until this point,” said Aguirre. But for a student as headstrong and goal driven this experience has opened her mind to endless possibilities. One thing she knows for sure is that, “math is everywhere, and you can't escape it so you just have to learn to love it,” states Aguirre.

UH Hilo Student, Vanessa Aguirre. Photo taken by ALEX Editor, Amber Manini.

For assistance in mathematics, the Math Center offers free, walk-in tutoring for all math courses (as well as tutoring math concepts in other courses) and features several computers with MathCad, Minitab and Pearson’s MyMathLab. Math tutors are UH Hilo students selected for their excellence in math and trained to facilitate mastery of math concepts and skills. To get in contact with the UH Hilo Math Center contact the Coordinator, Lindsay Heller at, hellerl@hawaii.edu or by phone at (808) 932-7531.

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