David Kurniadi

I am passionate about mathematics, having learnt many areas through a multitude of undergraduate courses and having done research projects in algebra and number theory. Amongst my peers, I often talk about the academic and pedagogical aspects of mathematics, and have given talks on specific topics I found interesting. I would love to reach out to minds curious about the subject, sharing my enjoyment and experiences over the years.

Prior to coming to the UK, I did my GCE O-levels and A-levels in Singapore. I completed my Masters of Engineering degree in Pure Mathematics and Computational Logic from Imperial College London, achieving First Class Honours and was the top student in my cohort. Subsequently, I went to the University of Cambridge to complete a year-long Masters of Advanced Study degree in Pure Mathematics. Currently I am working towards a PhD in the London School of Geometry and Number Theory, and I expect to attain my degree by 2025.

Tutoring Experience

As an undergraduate, I was an undergraduate teaching assistant in the Department of Computing in Imperial College London for two years, giving group tutoring sessions to first-year students in logic, discrete mathematics, reasoning about programs, and graphs and algorithms, as well as marking their weekly assignments.

Prior to this, I was also an informal tutor for my two siblings during their GCSE and IB exam periods, mainly focusing on their revision for the mathematics and sciences. During my high school days, I also taught sixth-grade mathematics in a nearby elementary school in preparation for their graduation exams.

Tutoring Approach

When introducing a new topic, I typically begin with examples and analogies to relate it to a more familiar idea while starting out with basic intuition. I would then talk about applications and how it fits into the bigger picture, before slowly diving into the gritty details and formal rigour.

When revising for a topic, I will provide practice questions ranging from typical homework or examination problems to more challenging out-of-the-box questions if necessary. I would also discuss potential pitfalls at different stages of familiarity, as well as tricks to do better in certain topics.