The mathematical world of Tsinghua freshman Dabai
2024-08-18
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China News Service, Beijing, August 15th, Title: Tsinghua freshman "Dabai"'s mathematical world
Author: Zeng Yue
On the 15th, Tsinghua University held an opening ceremony for the 2024 undergraduate freshmen. Zhang Yixiuan from Heze No. 1 Middle School in Shandong Province was one of the more than 3,800 undergraduate freshmen.
Zhang Yixuan suffers from congenital albinism. Not only is his skin very sensitive to sunlight and easily sunburned, but his vision is also severely impaired due to the disease, with a vision of only 0.01. This summer, he scored 688 points in the college entrance examination and was admitted to Tsinghua University's Zhili College to study mathematics and applied mathematics through the Strong Foundation Program.
Because of his optimistic, sunny, lively and cheerful personality, Zhang Yixuan has received many cute nicknames, such as "the shining big boy". But he prefers everyone to call him "Dabai", "I think this name fits me very well. Every time my classmates call me like this, I feel very warm."
On August 15, Tsinghua University held an opening ceremony for the 2024 undergraduate freshmen. Zhang Yixuan from Heze City, Shandong Province is one of the more than 3,800 undergraduate freshmen. Photo by Yi Haifei, a reporter from China News Service
The 18-year-old Zhang Yixuan is exploring the bigger world. Even though he needs some special tools to see the world clearly, such as a magnifying glass to read the words on a book and a telescope to see the teacher's blackboard in class, it does not affect his thirst for knowledge and curiosity at all.
So Zhang Yixuan entered the world of mathematics. He admitted that he chose to major in mathematics and applied mathematics not only because of his interest in mathematics, but also because it was a subject that was "relatively friendly to the eyesight."
Solving the math problem in front of her makes Zhang Yixuan feel a sense of accomplishment. More often than not, the charm of mathematics is not limited to what you see in front of you.
"The process of exploring the unknown is very interesting. Although I may not be able to solve (the problem), the ideas generated in solving the problem may sometimes be more important than the problem itself." At this point, Zhang Yixuan thought of the German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler, and then talked about trigonometric functions and the law of refraction. His thinking is much faster than his speech. "Sometimes exploration is boring, but once you find something unexpected, it is a new surprise."
At the beginning of the semester, Zhang Yixuan is using the mathematical mindset to learn about his surroundings. "Exploring Tsinghua is the same as exploring mathematics." He set a "small goal" for the new semester, which is to fully explore Tsinghua. As for the next four years of undergraduate study, Zhang Yixuan has a more detailed plan: to lay a solid professional foundation, improve the knowledge system, achieve breakthroughs and produce results, apply what he has learned to life, and try to combine mathematical research with other disciplines to promote the solution of practical social problems.
“The math problems we solve now may not be applied immediately, but hundreds of years later, this math theorem or problem may be used in fields such as physics or chemistry.” Zhang Yixiuan looks forward to making good use of her college time to explore a world of mathematics that is different from the math problems she learned in high school, and to contribute her own strength to the development of the country and society.
On August 15, Tsinghua University held an opening ceremony for the 2024 undergraduate freshmen. Zhang Yixuan, an undergraduate freshman from Heze City, Shandong Province, is wearing the school badge. Photo by Yi Haifei, a reporter from China News Service
Of course, his world is not all about mathematics. When he can’t find a “mathematical formula” to solve his psychological pressure and negative emotions, he always likes to play the piano. Although he joked that his persistence in piano practice when he was a child was inseparable from his parents’ supervision, now “it has become something I really like.”
Recently, Zhang Yixuan was practicing the piano score of "As Wish". This song is sung by singer Faye Wong, and the lyricist Tang Tian is well-known for her talent and anti-cancer story. Zhang Yixuan said that she was moved by the song and heard the beautiful meaning of inheritance from the lyrics and melody.
Successfully being admitted to Tsinghua University was also a "wish come true" for him. The new campus life officially started. In addition to being excited, Zhang Yixuan was deeply moved by the care and help from teachers and classmates. "I have received kindness from the whole world." The teenager said with a smile. (End)
