How math education can be more lively and effective
- Significance of learning math through real-life examples
- Learning fractions, ratios and measurements in the kitchen
- Mastering maths through money and budgeting concepts
- Studying math probabilities through active sports and games
- Strategies to make math problems enjoyable at home and school
What comes to mind instantly when we talk about math? Is it a string of numbers, symbols, and complex maths formulas, or something practical like money, a calculator, or a weighing machine (gasps)? One thing we cannot deny is how much our everyday lives are shaped by mathematical applications —especially in basic calculations that help us make daily decisions, such as determining the time needed to travel from one place to another.
In this article, we will explore ways to transform the math learning experience for students by highlighting real-life applications of mathematics rather than merely viewing it as a series of abstract problems to solve in school.
🔢 Benefits of Practical Math Applications In Education
Before diving into real-life math applications, let's first discuss why they are essential components of the school curriculum. These applications can help students see mathematics as a meaningful subject beyond just getting a good grade, but also how it can be useful in future careers, especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Let's review these three benefits as follows:
✨ Cultivates Students' Interest and Engagement
What motivates a child the most during the learning process? It’s the ongoing interest and curiosity sparked by experiences they can see, hear, and engage with firsthand.
The beauty and resourcefulness of math can be demonstrated by involving school students directly in math-related scenarios. For instance, having a creative shopping game to see which group of students can maximise the usage of discount vouchers for the best bargain. It's a super fun and effective way to help them focus on practical calculations while keeping up with a mathematical challenge. This will grant them a sense of how practical and interesting math is on a daily basis, and how their math skills can help them make better decisions in life as they grow older.
✨ Enhances Maths Understanding and Retention
Next, real-life math examples can greatly boost a child's understanding and retention of a math formula, especially when they get to practice what they have been taught in class over and over again.
Just like the shopping challenge mentioned earlier, students apply percentage concepts outside their math lessons by calculating discounts and comparing the original and new prices of purchased items. In the long run, this will help them remember percentage-related formulas and frac maths operations more easily, as they recognize their real-world importance.
A pair of trousers originally cost $80, but there's a 25% staff discount.
Students must calculate the new price.
Maths calculation: 25% of $80 = $20
→ 25/100 =1/4
→ 1/4 x 80 =20
Final price = $80 - $20 = $60
✨ Solidify Problem-Solving Skills in Maths
Finally, practical math applications help students view math as a tool to solve real-world problems through critical thinking skills for different contexts. For instance, the principles of statistics are used to optimize public transportation schedules in urban areas like Toronto and Vancouver. Let's say they know from data collected that the rush hour is around 7 am on weekdays, they can propose a solution to schedule more trains and buses around that time to reduce overcrowding and the overall waiting time.
🥣 Cooking and Baking: Time, Measurements, & Proportions
The magic of good food happens in the kitchen, with the help of quality ingredients and strong math skills. Without precise measurements, effective time management, and proper application of mathematical proportions, a kitchen problem may arise. You cannot fully bring out the best flavors when serving lasagna or chocolate cake. Here are three direct examples from baking or cooking and an interesting video below on how to make math fun and engaging:
✅ Calculating the right time and temperature
- Calculate a new finishing time if there is a delay when baking or cooking.
- Set the oven to the right temperature according to the new estimated time in terms of hours and Fahrenheit.
✅ Scaling the right proportions and ratio
- Adjust the number of ingredients according to the final servings and ratio.
- If the original recipe is only for 6 people, and you invited 12 people, you will need to double (multiply by two) all the prepared ingredients.
✅ Converting fractions and measurements
- Use fractions and unit conversions to divide the food and measure ingredients.
- For example, cut a 10-sliced pizza into half with five pizzas on each side, and convert three teaspoons to one tablespoon.
📊 Money and Budgeting: To Cultivate High Financial Literacy
Another practical way to introduce math through real-world examples is by incorporating it into everyday financial decisions. Not only can this boost students' confidence in their math abilities, but it will also help them develop financial literacy — an undeniably important life skill. Here are some practical applications of math in money management and budgeting.
✍️ Money transactions and conversions
For a young child, it's good to start with simple calculations, such as determining the total cost of their favorite cookies, if one cookie costs 3 CAD or the change they should receive if they use a larger bill to buy something cheaper.
This gives them a headstart to strengthen their basic arithmetic skills and boost their confidence to handle higher amount of transactions.
Another real-world math concept that can be taught in school or outside the classroom is exchange rates. This involves calculations such as converting currencies, understanding exchange rates (through multiplication and division), and solving the problem of the cost of purchases in different countries. It is relevant not only for online shopping but also for international travel.
✍️ Financial planning and saving goals
For older students, it's essential to introduce math skills through the concept of budgeting and responsible saving. Here, you are teaching a student's problem-solving skills in math to maximize what they are given (through saving or investing) to attain the best outcome by staying within the budget while considering the costs and expenses.
From there, they will see the relevance of their math skills regardless of whether they like or dislike math in the beginning when they set up a bank account in the future, as they learn advanced math concepts such as interest rates and compound interests to be a prudent consumer while growing their wealth progressively.
🎲 Sports and Games: Making Maths Active and Engaging
You'll be surprised to learn that math is very much everywhere in sports and games without missing the element of dynamic and fun play! Some examples include competitive sports like basketball, and soccer as well as strategy games such as chess and Monopoly.
First, let's take a look at an everyday basketball game. Some of the mathematical concepts that students can apply in real life include geometry, statistics, and even algebra.
To shoot a successful jump shot, the ball should not follow a straight line but a parabolic arc. A parabolic arc is a curved path with the shape of an upside down U letter.
The highest point of the curved path is known as the vertex, which gives the ball a high chance to go in the net area. With proper math calculations, players can determine the optimum angle to release the ball accurately (approximately a 45-degree angle).
Next, let's see how math can be applied in a fun manner through one of the most popular board games of all time, Monopoly. If you want to be the ultimate winner of Monopoly, you'll have to be the ultimate master of probability!
One obvious example is when you roll two dice at once, you can get a couple of outcomes. But you'll soon notice that some numbers appear more than others. Once you notice that a number appears more frequently than the rest, you can buy properties (created investment source) that players tend to land on more to have a high return on investment (profit). However, to survive until the very end also implies the need to save some cash for paying rent for other players' properties and also getting out of jail. The key is to make sure your return on investment for each property in the game outweighs your expenses. Check out the video below to see how maths can help you to be the ultimate winner at Monopoly!
👨👩👧👦 Integrate Math Collaboratively at Home & School
All these real-life math examples can be carried out efficiently through collaboration between parents and educators to create a well-rounded mathematics learning experience. It's important to reinforce the relevance of math through everyday simple activities like grocery shopping, a cooking task and budgeting in the context of home and school discussions. Another way to help students visualize these maths concepts better in the classroom is through varied online mathematics learning tools (like an example from a math video, a math podcast, or a maths educational app).
Students can also opt for private math tutoring after school to have a more holistic learning experience and understanding of the subject from a different perspective. At Superprof, you can access a wide selection of math tutors across Canada for different learning levels who are highly qualified and experienced.
Through personalized one-to-one learning, students get to spend more time mastering a math concept in depth and solve math problems successfully through guided instructions. Not only that, you can also choose between physical and online lessons according to your preferences. The best part of learning maths with Superprof is that you get to set the maximum budget for your lessons and compare the average rate of tutoring for different locations too! At present, most Superprof tutors offer their first lesson for free, so it's certainly an amazing catch!
With the right mindset, right preparation, and right reinforcement of the practical aspects of mathematics, you are definitely on the right track to see mathematics in a meaningful way — transforming maths problems into solutions effortlessly!
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
