14/03/2022
MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (MAN). YEAR 2022 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MATHEMATICS (Pi DAY): MATHEMATICS UNITES, IN THE ERA OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC BY WHESU ELIJAH MAUTIN
Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi). It is observed on March 14 (3/14 in the month/day format which incidentally are the first three significant digits of π (3.14). It is a day to celebrate the mathematical constant pi (π).
The Pi Day was founded in 1988 by Larry Shaw. UNESCO proclaimed March 14 as the International Day of Mathematics (Pi Day) on the 40th session of the General Conference on November 26, 2019.
It is celebrated in countries that follow the date format. Alternative dates for the celebration include July 22 (22/7, an approximation of π) and June 28 (6.28, an approximation of 2π or tau).
MATHEMATICS UNITES:
Every year a new theme is announced to flavor the celebration, spark creativity and bring light to connections between mathematics and all sorts of fields, concepts and ideas.
The theme for the 2022 International Day of Mathematics is Mathematics Unites. It was proposed by Yuliya Nesterova, a graduate student from the University of Ottawa in Canada. She explains:
“Mathematics unites, to signal that it is a common language we all have and a common subject with which to find one another.”
MATHEMATICS UNITES, IN THE ERA OF COVIF-19 PANDEMIC is the sub topic chosen to further explain or rather demonstrate the impact of mathematics in uniting people in this era of Covid-19 pandemic.
Across the world, the crisis from the Covid-19 pandemic is inescapable. Both learners and educators suffered tremendous disruptions, pains, and fears. The physical suffering, the isolation, and the compelling demands to care for others in new ways have been real and deep. It strongly upsets us, it disturbs our existence, and unites or divides us in different ways. Our responsibilities as mathematics educators in such a time of crisis became challenging as we still have to connect with the learners.
While we take time to care for each other, ourselves, and others, as scholars it is also our responsibility in a time of crisis to interpret the changing world and develop appropriate research agendas.
The world is becoming increasingly interconnected due to advanced technologies for the movement of information, people, and goods. The teaching and learning of mathematics (in elementary, secondary, and tertiary contexts) became the connecting factor across all subjects and mindfulness.
Take Note:
👉 Mathematics unites and so, whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny mathematics is the order of the world and without it, we wouldn’t be able to make much sense of it at all.
👉 Mathematics inspires us to educate ourselves and so Mathematics Day is all about celebrating and recognizing the brilliant mathematician whose hard work and passion helped in becoming most recognized mathematicians today regardless of the bleak circumstances.
👉 Practically every career uses math.
Obviously, mathematicians and scientists, factory workers and lots more rely on mathematical principles to do the most basic aspects of their work.
In conclusion, Mathematics at this present point in time is seen as a subject that Unites both learners and educators for the purpose of not just loving but also living purposefully.
Here is wishing us all a happy Pi Day!
WHESU, ELIJAH MAUTIN
MAN Coordinator,
Education District V