Exponential Love: My Unexpected Affair with Algebra

Things never seemed compatible between us even a few years ago when I was in my teens. Gradually, I moved into my adolescence and then attained adulthood. A part of me was always left blank, because though I missed her, it was hard to admit. Now, in my thirties, I have to accept what fate had to offer.

Yes. Exactly, now, meeting her—or even trying to understand what she aims to say or wants to explain to me—no longer feels difficult, though it’s still somewhat challenging. That is the reason why I pay special attention to her.

And in case you are all wondering who I am talking about here: it’s my newfound love for Algebra and Exponential sums in mathematics.

How It All Began

Thanks to random YouTube reels and even Facebook posts, my interest in mathematics—especially exponential sums and algebra—is growing manifold.

Never in my childhood were these two chapters soul-stirring for me. As more and more video educators explain mathematical concepts in simple terms and use easier examples, I somehow lost myself in my school days.

Algebra and exponential sums, once the most dreaded chapters for middle and high school students, now somehow give solace to my heart, considering how tiring the day with clients can be.

From Fascination to Mature Love

So, I can say I fell in love with Algebra and exponential sums again. But this time, the feeling is strong. Previously, the concepts that were impossible to comprehend when I was in standard ten now seem quite reasonable as I work day and night to unfold the mysteries surrounding mathematics and exponential sums. In fact, learning that something called a “logarithm” can also be used to solve these sums is something I learned quite recently. I never took mathematics seriously in my life. Somewhere, I was content with commercial arithmetic or basic math, but algebra and exponential sums are just insane. Once you are in it, it becomes increasingly intoxicating.

However, this is just my personal ongoing experience. I have neither gained mastery over exponential sums or algebra, nor do I have any desire to leave creativity midway and permanently ‘marry’ mathematics.

But instead of doomscrolling, at least learning something new—even if it is algebra and exponential sums—makes sense. And this is exactly what I am doing. What was left in childhood now reverberates inside me as I move into my thirties.

I am determined, and I am following my newfound passion for exponential sums and algebra. The sheer joy of solving an exponential sum when it seemed impossible at the beginning is a joy forever. And the beauty of exponential sums is how they look: something to the power of something and beyond.

Also, the joy of “tetration,” which shows how even something as small as 3 to the power of 3 can grow into a huge number that even a calculator cannot fathom.

Conclusion

So, this is my newfound love. I have never been attracted to mathematics at this level, but now I have a choice to pick and choose—as I did with exponential sums and algebra—and I even have a soft corner for quadratic equations, along with an affectionate relationship with commercial arithmetic and statistics.

I know it might sound weird, but I had to write about it. And it’s true: what you leave behind can literally come knocking at your door someday, as if it wants to whisper something inside your heart. And this time, I just fell flat, seeing the world of mystery called ‘Numbers.’

I am not sure, but as of now, this love story is going quite strong. A teenage story got real only when neither I nor the mathematics I saw and felt for the first time is young anymore!