‘Anyone can do math’ the mantra of Math Club

According to Math Club advisor and math teacher Rudy Cassidy, math has the potential to “create a better world” and is an “essential tool” in everyday life. 

The club meets on Mondays at 3:45 p.m. in room 300, Cassidy’s classroom, where they teach Geometry and Calculus. The club has over 20 members but five to 10 students regularly attend.

Some active members include President Eric Lian, Evan Kang, Cynthia Tian, Daniella Sherman, Kouta Ueki, and this reporter.  “It’s a good group of students,” Cassidy said. 

Anyone can join Math Club, according to Cassidy. They start out with easy problems but move to “very advanced college-level math” over time.

Cassidy is a believer that “anyone can do math,” noting that “even though it’s college level some of the freshmen can solve it.” 

Lian is the student leader who designs problem sets, bringing them to the club. He is also responsible for letting people know when there are going to be math competitions and when there are other club events coming up.

Other students can also “bring [their] own math problems [they] want to work on or can work on the math problems that are provided by the club,” said Cassidy.

Math club is a “brand new club this year” which is why Cassidy would like more people to know about it. Cassidy added that “students who solve math get candy.” They used to run a math extra-help center at another school where every student who showed up and did math got candy which they said ended up “helping a lot of struggling students.” 

“We love to help people love math. Show up to math club and we’ll make it easy for you,” they said.

One goal they have in addition to drawing in those who already love math is to invite in and welcome those who struggle with it.

Another mission for Math Club is to give students a place to share their viewpoints. “Amherst has a brilliant community full of individuals who are [creative] and going to do great things,” said Cassidy.