Nina del Ser - Mathematics
Nina del Ser - Mathematics
The Octopus ride fascinated me from the very moment I read about it in
a homework question, so it was great to be able to dedicate time to it by
choosing it as my Extended Essay topic. I went through many difficulties
as well as small, but deeply satisfying moments of elation, when I finally
found answers to long-pondered questions. My advice to anybody who
also opts for a research, rather than literature-based, Extended Essay
would be primarily to keep believing in yourself and resist the temptation
of giving up at moments of particular lack of inspiration, because the joy
felt after solving a problem more than compensates for all these hours of
toil and uncertainty!
Supervisor: Dr Shari Levine
Nina’s approach to a known mathematical project is both novel and
beyond her years as a student. Her explanations and diagrams are
succinct and approachable, understandable by younger students and
those without mathematical expertise. The problem, and her subsequent
explanation, shows how mathematics can be fun, interesting, and widely
applicable. Anyone who enjoys rides at theme parks, has an interest
in planetary movement, or enjoys the visual explanations of difficult
mathematical concepts will find something to appreciate in this essay.
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