Photo/Illutration Six high school students who competed in the International Mathematical Olympiad (Ryoma Komiyama)

Instead of solving mathematical problems, students who hate math instead likely ask themselves, “What’s the point of studying this subject? What use will it ever be to me in the future?”

I, too, used to utter such words of vexation many times in my teen years.

But enlightenment struck when I read mathematician Masahiko Fujiwara’s book titled “Sugakusha no Kotoba dewa” (In the words of a mathematician).

“What is not useful does not mean it has no value,” Fujiwara wrote and explained that the important thing is to think deeply about something--an act that is invaluable even if it doesn’t produce any immediate result.

I imagine that is the profound philosophy to which participants in the International Mathematical Olympiad are attracted.

This year's competition was held in Japan for the first time in 20 years, bringing together about 600 young geniuses from around the world. China finished first, followed by the United States. Japan did well, too, placing sixth.

Ryunosuke Kitamura, 17, a gold medalist and third-year student at Tokyo Metropolitan Musashi Senior High School, happily noted, “All you need are a pen and paper to work on mathematical problems, but it’s a deep process.”

Kitamura said he sometimes spends days working on a single problem.

The Mathematical Olympiad provides a welcome opportunity for gifted young mathematicians to shine. At the same time, I also hope it will inspire more young people to take an interest in the subject. I wish someone would think up some way to do that.

Math possesses a beauty that can attract tens of thousands of people.

“To grandly waste time in a self-styled ‘pursuit of truth’ may be the most human way to live,” wrote Fujiwara.

I would like to enjoy doing that in my own way, though I am nowhere near at a world-class level.

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 13

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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