Applied sciences: a doctor suggests reorienting training to revive interest in maths among learners

The 5th edition of International Mathematics Day highlights the ubiquity of mathematics in our daily lives—often unnoticed—by adopting the theme "Let's Play with Math." Whether your ambition is to become an evangelist, a singer, a photographer, a sociologist... mathematics is everywhere, and yet many students and adults believe they never use the education they received or are receiving, especially in mathematics. They are wrong on many counts! The 40th UNESCO General Conference proclaimed March 14 of each year as International Mathematics Day in November 2019. This day aims to celebrate the beauty and timeless relevance of mathematics. Math guides all our daily activities According to Philippe Faradja, who holds a Ph.D. in Applied Sciences with a specialization in Electrical Engineering, mathematics is an essential tool for making informed decisions. While some adults downplay the importance of mathematics in the daily lives of Congolese people, Dr. Faradja highlighted the many ways we use mathematics without even realizing it, such as when grocery shopping, where deciding which items to buy based on prices and quantities requires the use of mathematics. First, he mentioned how mathematics is used in fields such as construction, civil engineering, and architecture to ensure the stability of building structures. He then noted that mathematics is also essential for improving sound quality through microphones during public presentations, for enhancing images, and for any type of signal processing that requires the use of filters. He also demonstrated how the sine function can be used to calculate the force required to push a stalled vehicle, based on its mass, the acceleration due to gravity, and the angle of inclination. A common example is that of passengers on bus 207, who can often be seen pushing the vehicle if it won’t start.

Math: The Key to the Digital World

Finally, he emphasized the importance of mathematics in computer science. The field of computer science is closely linked to digital technology, which is based on mathematical concepts such as numbers and operations. This highlights the importance of data security on digital media, which relies on mathematical principles. He pointed out that someone with a strong grasp of mathematics could decrypt information stored on a digital medium by analyzing the underlying algorithm and theory. In conclusion, he encourages Africans to move beyond mere amazement and emotion to question science and understand its importance. He regrets that mathematics is often valued only for its immediate practical use. He also criticizes the proliferation of churches in the Congo that denigrate the sciences by claiming they are neither positive nor progressive. Yet developed countries are investing heavily in science today. He therefore suggests reorienting mathematics education to spark students’ interest and enthusiasm for these disciplines. Deborah Kabuya