The math team 16 participants are leading the state in the Wisconsin Math League as of last month. The team is advised by Lori Pedrick, registrar and former Homestead math teacher.

“I love seeing the students talking about how they went about a problem, problem-solving it and working out the problem in different ways,” Pedrick said.

Seniors Eric Wan and Owen Zeisler say that math stands out to them because there is only one right answer, and “the way that you get to that right answer is often very beautiful,” Wan said.

The seniors had tips for current Multivariable and Calculus students.

Ethan Wang, senior, believes students should understand the concept rather than memorize equations and formulas
so that they can apply their math knowledge to new problems.

“It’s the difference between memorizing the blueprint of a tank and understanding why each part of the tank does what it does and when you know that, then you can make a car, or you can make a plane, or you can make a boat. Because if you can understand the blueprint entirely, then you can do new things with it versus you can only copy-paste tanks with memorization,” Wan said.

Wang also advises to skim the chapter beforehand and treat homework like a test or quiz.

“Do it without your notes first. Notes or answer keys throw those away. Just do it once through and you could see what parts you’re solid on and you don’t need to spend time studying,” Wang said.

Additionally, Wan says that if it seems difficult to solve a problem, you should move on and “let your brain refresh and take in new ideas from other problems.” Along with that, Wan also wanted to shout out 3Blue1Brown, a math YouTube channel.

Besides the math, Wang says that his fellow participants are a reason that keep him going with the team.

“I never thought I’d say that math was fun, but it was fun. Going head to head against each other, competing against each other, and building that friendship. I’ll keep those friends for the rest of my life, and that’s just a fact, and that’s all through math,” Wang said.