Although math doesn’t seem to be a big part of learning about global events in the world, it actually is. Much of the scientific and mathematical knowledge we have now has been a result of the world coming together to solve issues. This course helped me understand these connections. Consisting of formulas and a certain set of rules, math is very objective in comparison to other subjects. This objectiveness is basically consistent throughout the world. With this in mind, many formulas and theories come from all around the world. For example, an important number in calculus is “e” which is approximately equal to 2.72. Euler’s number e was named after Leonhard Euler, a Swiss mathematician, who also contributed to calculus with a method to approximate initial value problems with derivatives. Much of calculus would be difficult to understand or even be impossible to do without e or Euler’s method, and he was just one mathematician. This goes to show the impact one person has on the whole world. The various mathematical methods have also shown how the world has advanced in unique ways. Some of the calculus used today can now be solved on a calculator; however, that wasn’t the case before. There was a unit in this course in which we solved equations by approximating because in the past they didn’t have calculators that could solve such complex problems. First, it is impressive that people were able to make these calculations and second, it is even more impressive that people have programmed machines to do so too.
Being aware of the world around you doesn’t just include politics or social issues, it also includes scientific and mathematical advancement. While the math I have mentioned has benefited the world thus far, there are some issues in the scientific world that may negatively affect the world. With the advancement of knowledge, there should be careful consideration of the impact it will have on the world. I hope to keep this in mind as advance my own knowledge as I become more aware of the world and obtain a global perspective.