<p>I think that one of perks of working for admissions at UChicago is that you get to read interesting essays - and it sounds as if they may be brushing up on their math. Your essay is for the intelligent layman - and you can assume a reasonable level of competence. If you think of Stephen G. Gould’s or Carl Sagan’s writing, they explain themselves very well without a blort of equations. If you can also manage this - you will have demonstrated your understanding of the concepts, as well as your ability to express them.</p>