Tomás Torralbo: "Mathematics helps to describe the world perfectly"

"Science serves to advance the world, but it must be applied ethically."

—This year's university entrance exam in mathematics was very controversial because everyone found it to be particularly difficult. In fact, the average mark of those taking the exam has gone down to 4.18 from last year's mark of 6.12. What is your opinion on that?

—I agree. It really was a long exam and the questions were a bit difficult to understand. Compared with other years, I think this time the exam was at a much higher level in difficulty. I didn't even have time to go over my answers. I barely got to finish it, one and a half hour just wasn't enough!

—But you managed to score really well. What mark did you get?

—Yes, in the end I got a good mark. I thought I had done worse because I was really rushing in the end and finished just on time. I scored a 10, but did not expect to get that mark.

—Why did you choose the UAB specifically to study the degree in Physics and Mathematics?

—The degree in Physics + Mathematics can be done at the UAB and at the University of Barcelona. Since I live in Terrassa, the UAB is closer to my home. Plus, all my friends from school will be studying at the UAB and even my father studied there.

—How did you become interested in the world of maths? Was it perhaps someone from your family who influenced you?

—Well, my father has a background in the humanities, and my mother studied English, but she likes maths a lot. At home when I was small we would do a lot of activities with numbers, I participated in different competitions and in the Cangur tests, etc. And finally, my interest in this field grew and my mother was always there helping me.

—When did you realise that you liked this field?

—I have always liked it, even when I was small. But it was really when I reached secondary school that I discovered that everything to do with mathematics was extremely interesting. Because it is not just numbers, there are so many other things involved...

—So this is like a declaration of love for mathematics, here and now?

—Yes, of course! For me, maths represents ideas and concepts, it is the most basic and pure way in which to describe all that surrounds us. And it is logic. It helps us describe our world perfectly and with exact models. I like this type of beauty.

—Do you feel as strongly about physics?

—Yes, both can be used to describe the world. In my case, I discovered physics in the last year of upper secondary school. I discovered that it includes many more aspects than I had thought.

—Is there anything that has inspired you in the world of physics and mathematics: a book, teacher, friend, TV series or film?

—Many different things have inspired me. An important example is a friend of mine, who also studies the same degree at the UAB and is in his third year, and he has told me many things about the degree. I guess he is the one who finally inspired to study the double degree. But I have always liked this world: I've read books, watched lots of videos on YouTube and documentaries on physics... It hasn't been just one thing, but a combination of factors.

—Can you make the world a better place using sciences such as physics and maths?

—Yes, definitely. I think that science in general serves to advance the world, but it must be applied ethically. Science must benefit everybody, not only answer to the interests of the rich and powerful.

—Are you saying this because we need to be careful with AI, for example?

—Yes, we are at a delicate moment. We must be very careful because AI is not being regulated right now and it can be used negatively, for example to spy on people or scam them, and so on.

—What do you imagine when you think of university? What would you like to find at the UAB?

—First, I want to learn many things, and then I also want a new start, away from secondary school, meet new people and be with others who are studying the same things I like, etc. Basically, study what I like and discover new worlds and meet new people.

—What are your hobbies?

—I like to read, play the guitar, play board games and video games with my friends.

—What would you like to do professionally when you finish studying?

—Well, I am still not sure, actually. Maybe something to do with research, but I haven't thought about it yet. I guess I will have time to find out what I want during these years at university.

—How did you manage to get such good grades? What advice would you give to students preparing for the entrance exams, or in general?

—I think the entrance exams in the end are a review of everything learned during the last year of upper secondary. So if you have everything under control, everything up to date, you go to class and understand the concepts, and then you study a bit every day at home, you'll do fine.

—Any secrets to help you get good marks?

—The secret is to work throughout the year, and not wait until the last weeks to start studying.

—You studied secondary and upper secondary at the Institut Torre Palau in Terrassa. Are you happy with the school?

—Yes, very happy. It is a place where I've made a lot of friends and I was very happy there. I was also very lucky with my teachers who have helped me all these years. And with the friends I made.The school has a great atmosphere.

—They must be very happy to have such an excellent student at a public school.

—Yes. But my mark has nothing to do with the school being public or private. What is important is that public schools still provide a good education and that must be protected and taken care of to make sure the quality is maintained. The teachers have been on strike these past months and I think we should listen to them and improve their conditions, because a good public education system is crucial. They have my total support.

—You had good teachers at school?
—Yes, very good. In my case, my science, maths, physics and chemistry teachers were the ones who influenced me the most because these are the subjects I like most, but my other teachers were also good.

—You said that you like to read. What are you reading right now?

—Right now I am reading A Song of Ice and Fire by the author of Games of Thrones.

—In what language are you reading it?

—In English.

—Do you like it?
—Yes, I really like it. Actually, I have always liked this type of fantasy genre. The Lord of the Rings is one of my favourite books, for example.

—Will you do anything special this summer, in celebration of your good results and before starting university?

—We were thinking of going on a trip with a group of friends of mine, but we are not sure if it will be this summer, or the next.