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I am eager to study mathematics and physics at degree level because both subjects have inspired me for as long as I can remember; I constantly find myself looking for mathematics in the patterns of the world around me. I also particularly enjoy both the richness of the problems involved, in that many different, seemingly unrelated areas can be linked and the beauty and simplicity that can evolve from a mess of equations that are much more complicated.
A good example of all of these features would be Euler's identity, which I think is truly beautiful. Physics too demonstrates this wonderful simplicity as many fundamental equations are remarkably basic relationships between a few variables and constants, such as the formula for the time period of a pendulum, which is counter-intuitive in its simplicity.
Moreover, I like the consistency and reassurance that both disciplines give, but I find the differences that the two subjects have in their method of establishing results quite intriguing: whereas mathematicians look to establish theorems by extending a set of facts that they take as 'true' using logic, physicists make hypotheses based on what they observe, and then refine and back up these theories with more experimental evidence.
I really enjoyed Gleick's 'Chaos', which I found interesting as I am fascinated by the way that in chaotic systems a very small difference in the initial conditions can lead to a large discrepancy as the system develops. To develop my interest in maths I wrote an essay, which was commended, for a school maths prize which explores some of the more important theorems and the history of the complex numbers; indeed, complex analysis is something that I have really been looking forward to learning about at university.
Another book which I very much enjoyed is Berlinski's 'A Tour of the Calculus' which presents a far more rigorous and assumption-free approach to the concepts of differentiation and integration than that within the A level syllabus. It has forced me to reappraise how I approach problems that involve these methods.
When I read, I prefer to try and come to the solutions and proofs by myself, rather than simply allowing the book to guide me through the steps; there is nothing more satisfying than arriving at an answer and then reading through the exact same steps in a book written decades before, which is another example of the enduring nature of maths.
I have sought a further mathematical challenge through my involvement with the Maths Olympiad system- I have qualified for the first round of the British Maths Olympiad five times, and the second round in all four of my years at secondary school. I scored full marks on the Senior Maths Challenge last year and I competed in the national team challenge on my school team, in which we achieved a top ten finish.
I have furthered my interest in Physics through reading the New Scientist magazine, which I particularly enjoy because it presents a clear and concise picture of the cutting edge of research.
One particular article motivated me to delve into string theory, an extraordinary idea that appeals to me because of both its deep mathematical beauty and the fact that it promises to describe all phenomena as a theory of everything; my interest prompted me to write an essay for a school science prize exploring some of the general features of this astounding hypothesis.
I am a senior prefect at school, as well as a captain of games within my house at school, which requires me to be responsible and organised. I love to play water polo and squash, in both of which I have won multiple national titles with my school. I am a keen sportsman all round.
I know I will really enjoy studying maths and physics at university because I am an independent and enthusiastic worker and I will relish the challenge of discovering new, stimulating types of maths and physics.
Universities Applied to:
- Cambridge - Offer (A*A*A11) Firm
- Warwick - Offer (A*AA2) Insurance
- UCL - Offer (A*AA)
- Imperial - Offer (A*AA2)
- Durham - Offer (A*AA)
Grades Achieved:
- Maths (A2)-A*
- Further Maths (A2) -A*
- Physics (A2)-A*
- Greek (A2)- A*
- Latin (A2)- A*
- STEP II-S (119)
- STEP III-S (111)
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