Olivia Seo '28

First math class at Swarthmore:  MATH 039, Discrete Mathematics with Prof. Aimee Johnson!

What was your favorite math class and why?  I really loved MATH 027, Linear Algebra, with Professor Goldwyn! The content didn't assume too much prior knowledge, and everything comes full circle in a very satisfying way. At the end of the semester, we had the opportunity to explore and present on any application of linear algebra. I used orthogonal projection to measure consonance and dissonance in different chord progressions in popular songs, landing at a philosophical question on the existence of an objective way to define "good" or "bad" music. I remember sitting on the floor in Professor Goldwyn's office to ask random questions while I worked, and this might be the most fun I've had doing math.

Why did you become a math major?   I became a math major after realizing that there is so much more to math than algebra and calculus. Math essentially teaches you to ask questions and then gives you tools to help you look for the answers, and I have a lot of questions. I'm also interested in studying the philosophy of mathematics. As of now, I think I'm an intuitionist.

How do you expect to use your mathematics after leaving Swarthmore?   I have no idea!

What advice do you have for an incoming student?  If math makes you curious, excited, stimulated, YOU BELONG IN THE MATH DEPARTMENT!!!!!! I feel like math is one of those things that people think they are either good at or bad at, and if you're "bad" at it, you do something else. Everyone at Swarthmore comes to class with different backgrounds --  it won't help you to compare your performance in class with that of another student who had access to college classes and professors in high school. It can also be hard to feel like you belong in the math community if you are into pure mathematics and aren't necessarily interested in the physics or engineering of it all. At the heart of the discipline is problem solving, creativity, and exploration -- anything that feels like a barrier for you to enjoy these things is something that you can overcome, and you won't have to do it alone.