It is wonderful to see the creative ways people use math in the world around us.
Every single day, Hillel Smith uses math to create art. It’s not “fractal art” or computer-driven design. He simply needs math to produce the art itself—everything from huge outdoor murals to inflatable sculptures.
“At a basic level, having an understanding of geometry is practical, making things at a size that can be framed, or knowing how far a can of paint will go,” he said. “The challenge is working with projects that require a higher level of art thinking, such as my pixelated pieces and some of the mural projects. I do a lot of ‘solving for X,’ dimension analysis, ratios and proportions, fractions, and unit conversions.”
As a child, Hillel was a strong math student. Obsessed with space and airplanes, he used Lego®, TinkerToy®, Marbleworks®, 3D puzzles, and origami paper to build his structures. He loved the experience of problem solving, and when he got to high school, he took both A.P. Calculus and A.P. Physics.
Mathnasium of South Beaverton is a math-only learning center for K-12 students in Tigard, OR. Trusted by over a million parents, Mathnasium uses personalized learning plans and the proprietary Mathnasium Method™ to help students catch up, keep up, and get ahead on their math journey.
Our specially trained tutors deliver face-to-face instruction in a supportive and fun small-group environment, working with students to develop a deep understanding of math, build confidence, and improve academic performance.
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