Math Reflects  Human Behaviour!

A tribute to all Gurus on the sacred occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti

“When the Guru’s light enters the heart, ignorance disappears like darkness before dawn.”

– Inspired by Guru Nanak Dev Ji

There are moments in a teacher’s life when mathematics walks beyond numbers — into the heart.

It happened to me recently during a classroom interaction that changed my perspective.

As I was guiding my students through linear equations, one of them smiled and said innocently,

“Respect the elderly!”

For a second, I was puzzled — what did he mean?

Then it struck me!

We were solving:

7x - 10 = 10x + 18

And that little line was born from our discussion —

“Take variables to one side, constants to the other.”

So,

-10 - 18 = 10x - 7x

In my earlier lesson on linear inequations, I had told them,

“Respect the term with the bigger numeric coefficient, so there’s no need to change signs unnecessarily.”

And when teaching inequalities, I would remind them:

“Whenever we multiply or divide by a negative integer, we must change the sign of inequality. Don’t take the risk of negatives — they can change one’s look, and here, they change the sign!”

That’s when a student concluded, with wisdom beyond his age,

“Sir, respect the elderly to avoid complications.”

I smiled — because that’s what teaching truly is:

not transferring knowledge, but transforming understanding.

🎶 Mathematics with Melody

Another day, I saw my learners joyfully chanting while solving:

“Same signs we add, opposite signs we subtract!

Opposite signs we subtract and keep the sign of the big!”

It turned my classroom into a rhythm of learning.

That’s the beauty of math blended with behaviour —

when logical steps become joyful expressions of life.

And the most melodious part of my teaching journey —

the Quadratic Formula Song:

🎵

Minus b, plus minus,

Square root of,

b square minus four a c, upon two a...

🎵

(-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / (2a)

I teach it in three parts —

two for the numerator and one for the denominator —

and they never forget it.

Because mathematics, when sung from the heart,

stays forever in the soul.

Takeaways

Mathematics is not just calculation — it’s communication with clarity.

Every formula hides a philosophy; every equation carries emotion.

Teaching becomes divine when it connects logic with life.

Respect — in math or in life — simplifies every complication.

Learning becomes memorable when it’s filled with rhythm, humour, and humanity.

From the Desk of the Author

I have always believed that education is not about solving problems — it’s about solving people.

When learners start using classroom dialogues in real life,

I feel my purpose as a teacher has been fulfilled.

Mathematics has given me not just lessons,

but liveliness — a way to sing, smile, and share wisdom every single day.

That’s the song of my life —

where numbers dance with emotions,

and logic walks hand in hand with love.

Thanksgiving

On this divine occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti,

I bow to all Gurus — past and present —

who illuminate minds with knowledge and hearts with humility.

Special gratitude to Guru Nanak Dev Ji,

whose timeless message — “Naam Japo, Kirat Karo, Vand Chhako” —

reminds us that learning is worship,

and sharing is service.

May every teacher continue to guide with light,

and every learner continue to seek with love.

A Gentle Appeal

Dear readers,

If this story made you smile or reminded you of your own teacher,

please share it with your friends, students, and family.

Let’s spread the joy of learning,

the power of connection,

and the melody of mathematics.

Because when we share knowledge,

we don’t lose it — we multiply it. 

With love and gratitude,

– Rakesh Kushwaha

Educator | Writer | Mathivator

📚 “Where Mathematics meets Motivation.”