The Tribune, Vol. 18 - International School of Paris

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Math: Universal & ConsistentPaul Mockapetris, ISP ParentPaul Mockapetris,inventor of theDomain Name System(DNS) and ISP parent.Dr. Paul V. Mockapetris is the inventor ofthe Domain Name System (DNS), whichserves as the “phone book” for theInternet and translates human-friendlycomputer host names into IP addresses,routes the email, and makes the webgo, among other things. Dr. Mockapetrishas three boys at ISP, is a visiting scholarat the University of Pierre and MarieCurie, and chairman of Nominum, Inc., acompany which supplies DNS softwareto the world’s leading network carriers.He is a member of the US national academyof Engineering, an ACM fellow, andreceived the 2003 IEEE Internet Awardfor his contributions to DNS, the 2005ACM Sigcomm lifetime award, and theDistinguished Alumnus award from theUniversity of California, Irvine.I think that most of us startout learning math in school asabstract ideas of numbers andarithmetic. We move on to usingcontrived examples of the form“If John has 20 apples, and giveshalf of them away, then eats one,how many are left?” to teachus to apply the ideas. But astime goes on, most of us leaveabstract math behind, and use itonly in an applied way: managingmoney, measuring things,perhaps designing something. Istarted out my academic life inphysics, which is typically verymath intensive, and ended upworking with computer networks,which most people think is mathintensive—but is not.I think that’s what makes mathunique; it has an application, greator small, to perhaps everythingwe do. Very few people are puremathematicians; I can’t think ofanyone who doesn’t have someneed for math in their everydaylife. I have little use for the chemistryand Latin I learned in school,but while I have probably forgottenmost of my math of physicsdays, I have to exercise the restevery day.Some might argue that mathand language skills are the universals(they certainly are when itcomes to testing). But languagesvary in their syntax, and somesay in the meanings that areexpressed, whereas I don’t seeanyone arguing that division isuseless or should be replaced withsome new mathematical operatorwhen you move to a new country.So I think that’s what is specialabout math: it’s everywhere, andthe same everywhere. Maybethat’s a clue—math is really thestatement of all things that areeverywhere and the same everywhere,and we get to add what’sdifferent as we apply it.Looking Back: Math at ISPSamarth Sharma, Class of 2004Samarth graduated from ISP in 2004and went on to study mechanicalengineering at Imperial College London(2008). He currently works as a nuclearengineer at Areva in Paris.As you settle back into schoolafter an exciting summer, mathematicsmight be one of thelast things on your mind. Doesit really matter if you can solvea quadratic equation or not? Itseems just like yesterday that Iwas sitting in classes at ISP, butfor me mathematics (and the wayit was taught at ISP) made all thedifference to where I am now.I can proudly say that mathematicsat ISP was fun. I was luckyenough to have two great teachers(Mr. Kerr & Mr. Stansfield) whonot only made the subject bothappealing and interesting but whoalso paid a great deal of attentionto my personal development. Thefoundation that I developed in10 the tribune — The Journal of the International School of Paris — www.isparis.edu
Math & the EnvironmentMarinél Janse van Rensburg, Class of 2007Marinél is currently in her finalundergraduate year studyingBioMathematics at the University ofStellenbosch in the Western Cape.She and one other person were thefirst ones to start studying this in SouthAfrica. They are now developingpostgraduate studies within this field,which will allow her to pursue agraduate degree in BioMathematics.“Mathematics is likedraughts [checkers] inbeing suitable for theyoung, not too difficult,amusing, and withoutperil to the state.”“From now on, you will sleep with your graphical calculator, and you willbecome best friends!” Those were Mr. Kerr’s welcoming words to my first IBmathematics class at ISP in 2005. A few years later, I am so attached to mycalculator that I am now incapable of figuring out what 18/3 is without it.I have always enjoyed numbers, but I never saw myself pursuing a professionconsisting solely of mathematics. ToK classes, however, gave mea new perspective on the world of math. While writing my ToK essay, Irealized we cannot solve mathematical problems only through reasoning;we also need our imagination to help create this mathematical worldin our minds. The fascinating aspect of mathematics is that it is not asecluded field in itself but critical to many other fields of study and todifferent sciences.My extended essay in Environmental Systems awakened another area ofpassion in my life. The ISP groundwork in both math and the environmentsent me off to where I am currently studying: a BSc in BioMathematics inmy home country, South Africa (University of Stellenbosch). This is a newlydevelopedcourse based on mathematical modeling within ecology.Along with the global vision I acquired from ISP’s outstanding diversity,I am optimistic that I will become a part of a small group of youngAfrican scientists in 2011 studying at the African Institute of MathematicalSciences close to Cape Town. There, I will continue with a postgraduatedegree in BioMathematics, discovering the world of mathematics in oursurrounding environment.ISP inspired me into a profession. I will always be grateful for the wayISP shaped my thinking processes and how the School and its staff helpedme discover my abilities and my potential.Plato (429-347 BCE),Plato’s Academymathematics at ISP helped metremendously at universityand continues to do so in myprofessional career. I have hadthe chance to design Formula 1cars, analyze jet engines, createfinancial models (not the onesthat led to the economic crisis!),and am currently working onbuilding nuclear power plantsin China. The opportunitiesseem endless!Similarly, the IB Diploma is agreat program at ISP. The diversityof subjects, along with essentialcomponents such as ToK & theExtended Essay, allowed me toidentify my strengths and weaknesses.This sense of self-awareness,coupled with the soft skillsdeveloped during CAS, enabled meto differentiate myself from otherequally capable candidates at bothuniversity and work.Finally, as the world becomesmore interconnected, all studentsfrom ISP should be proud to havethis network, be it on Facebook orin life. It is a privilege not manyhave in the world.Volume 18 – Autumn 2010 11
Page 3 and 4: Manipulating Mathematics in the PYP
Page 7 and 8: “I was nevergood at math”Hugh J
Page 9: The Ishango Bone,a 20 000-year-oldc

The Tribune, Vol. 18 - International School of Paris

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