Mission & Academics Blog
The Hidden Joy of Calculus: More Than Just Equations
As much as I love to learn, my memories of calculus in both high school and college are painful. I struggled, and had to work very hard to get through those classes. Unfortunately, at that young age, I never truly understood what it was all for. Today, Mrs. Jenny. Neuenschwander, one of our BA math instructors, was able to get me excited and even, dare I say, joyful while contemplating calculus. As part of our Classical Heritage series, several parents and I experienced something remarkable—a presentation that transformed how many of us think about calculus. She showed us that calculus isn't just a collection of complex formulas but rather a powerful and fascinating lens through which we can understand our world.
One interesting revelation was learning about calculus's surprising origin story. While many of us might think it started with complicated mathematical theories (shiver), it actually began with a simple question: How do you measure curved shapes? The ancient Greeks, particularly Archimedes, pondered this question while trying to calculate the area of a circle. Their creative solution—breaking complex shapes into smaller, more manageable pieces—laid the groundwork for what would become calculus. As the shapes become smaller and smaller, the ability to measure a true curve becomes possible. How small, you might ask? Well, this idea required the Greeks to think about how much smaller they could possibly go...and the concept of infinity was born. An important concept, and we can give the beginnings of calculus credit for its early use.
But what truly captured our attention was discovering how calculus quietly powers our everyday lives. Here I was all these years, doubting why calc was important. Was I ever off base! From the GPS that guides us home to the sound waves that create patterns in our microwave ovens, calculus is everywhere. Mrs. Neuenschwander even showed us how to visualize sound waves using nothing more than a microwave and some chocolate or marshmallows—a simple kitchen experiment that demonstrates complex mathematical principles! Want to hear more about this…you can always reach me at linda.pryor@brookfieldacademy.org.
The presentation helped us see that calculus isn't just about solving equations—it's about making the impossible possible. Without it, we wouldn't have skyscrapers reaching into the clouds, precise medical imaging helping save lives, or smartphones connecting us to the world. Calculus is a testament to human creativity and mankind’s desire to understand the universe around us.
As we left the presentation, many of us found ourselves looking at the world differently. Those curves on the suspension bridge we cross every day? That's calculus at work. The precise timing that makes GPS navigation possible? Calculus again. It made us realize that mathematics isn't just a subject we studied in school—it's a powerful tool that helps us understand and shape our world. Amazing!
What started with ancient Greeks trying to measure circles has evolved into something that touches nearly every aspect of modern life. Now that's what I call a meaningful math lesson! I think I love calculus.
If you missed it or the equally interesting presentation on geometry by Mr. Reiner, you will find them all on our website at https://www.brookfieldacademy.org/past-parent-presentations
