I have a high schooler who I need to get energized about math. She excels in other sciences, but does not in math. The issue, I learned after some discussion, is that she doesn't find math interesting enough. She sees it as simply processes that you memorize and apply without truly understanding what the end result is about. Let try to better illustrate this point, in chemistry or biology you do an experiment or observe something in nature and then go back to understand what makes these things work. She doesn't see this type of relationship in math. I have looked at essays about 'Why one should learn Math' but they are not much help as they tend to only show how math is used in careers. The best explanations are usually around statistics or focus around advanced level math but she is looking for something to get excited about. What I am hoping to find is a resource to show things like Seven Bridges of Königsberg ( a little more advanced than HS Algebra)and how they apply to specific topics that she is studying.
Here are my specific questions:
- What are examples to show her things like the Fibonacci number system and what it is and how it appears in nature and history?
- Is there basic information (this is a HS school student) on how someone like Escher used mathematical formulas in some of his pictures or how others used algebra to solve real world problems?
- I would teach her what the original problem was that the mathematician was trying to solve when a particular topic was created and developed are there any good sources for this?
Thanks for all your help.
A NOTE TO MODERATORS: I apologize if the question(s) is not specific enough or slides a little off topic for Mathematics. But based on the FAQ I would argue it falls under Math History. But I understand if it has to be closed, I only ask that a better place to ask this be given if possible. Thanks