Mathematics Matters In Our Everyday Life.
Many students have asked me time without number the following two questions:
I. Why is mathematics not optional?
Ii. What are the applications of mathematics to our daily life ?
The students in this category are always those that see mathematics as a very difficult subject.My answer is always that, mathematics is made compulsory subject, because of its uncountable applications to our every day life.
However, mathematics like other subjects is a simple subject , if you have a good foundation in it, coupled with a competent and passionate teacher. Infact it will be an easier subject if you have support of an inspiring parent or guardian.
Dear parents,
Maths is very useful in our every day life. It can help us do many things that are important in our everyday lives
The following are some daily tasks for which mathematics is very important:
1. Managing money : One important skill we learn is how to calculate interest and compound interest when we take loan from bank or from friends. This skill help us to determine the best bank to borrow from.
2. Preparing food: People use maths knowledge when cooking. In this case, people use proportions and ratio to make correct calculations for each ingredient. If a recipe calls for ⅔ of a cup of flour, the cook has to calculate how much is half or double of ⅔ of a cup. Then, the cook has to represent the amount using standard measures used in baking, such as¼cup, ½cup, ½ cup, 1cup.
3. Shopping for the best price: Maths is useful when buying different items. Stores often have sales that give a percentage of an original price. Maths skill is very useful because it helps us calculate discount so we can buy an item for the best price offered.
4. Clearance sales : Knowledge of commission in maths is useful to determine how much to collect when you sell a large quantity of products. For example,if commission of 10% is given on every twelve loafs of bread at N1000 each. When you sell or buy twelve loafs of bread, you would pay N10,800 instead of N12000. Without the knowledge of maths you might not be able to calculate it yourself.
5. Sewing : Knowledge of measurement and conversion of units in maths is very useful in sewing. Length of clothes is always measured in yards while length of parts of body is always measured in inches or centimeters. Therefore, anyone with little knowledge of mathematics will find sewing easier to learn.
Other daily tasks for which Mathematics is important are:
6. Home decorating .
7. Gardening and landscaping.
8. Playing music.
9. Furniture Making. In production of Plane and Geometric Shapes,such as Polygon Sphere, Prism, e.t.c
10. Recreational Sport : Knowledge of Geometry and Trigonometry can help to improve their skill in sports. Basic knowledge of maths can also help to keep track of sports scores, e.t.c
In conclusion , let parents and teachers always tell and show students these maths connections to real world with examples of everyday maths applications. I believe when they hear and see how maths can be used everyday, they will be more likely to view maths as important and valuable. They may also become more interested in mathematics. Remember that you as a parent can greatly influence how your child thinks about mathematics. It is a collective effort.
Mr Okediji , Taiwo O.
Registrar ,
HOD Science and Tech.
