preview

Why Is Nelson So Important To Me Essay

Better Essays

My husband and I have done well enough financially that I now devoting my attention on ways we can improve the world by educating, inspiring, and bringing people together.

As a student in middle and high school, I was fortunate to have a father who enjoyed pondering interesting math problems at least as much as I did. When I got stuck, he sometimes asked me a question or offered me a hint that helped me to figure out how to solve a problem.

I didn't enjoy the competitive atmosphere and time constraints of most math contests, but was intrigued and inspired by the qualifying problems of the yearly math contest sponsored by Saint Mary's College in Moraga, CA. About 10 years ago, I searched for the Contest and found that it no longer existed, …show more content…

By doing physical therapy with me every night (except on my birthday) for 12 years to strengthen my right leg and right arm (affected by cerebral palsy), Nelson made me realize the benefits of hard work and perseverance. There was no need for him to say the words “I love you.” He showed me how much he cared for me in much more endearing ways.

Donald Knuth

Donald Knuth's Concrete Mathematics was my favorite course ever because, unlike most other my classes in which I just applied what I was taught, in that class I learned through trial, effort, errors, and eventually discovery.

I continue to see Donald Knuth several times a year and he is always friendly to me.

Herb Wilf

I enjoyed the problems in Concrete Mathematics so much, that I requested to be the teaching assistant for the class the following year. Though Donald Knuth had taught the class for years, the following year it was taught by Herb Wilf, who was on sabbatical at Stanford from the University of

Get Access