how do math skills help us in daily life

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Study reveals the hidden ways math helps us in everyday life

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A psychological intervention implemented to help students cope and learn more in a tough statistics course did more than just help them in the class, a new study found.

Researchers found the intervention helped students improve their math literacy – what scientists call ‘numeracy’ – which was vital for success in the course.

But it also helped the intervention students, compared to students who did not get the intervention, demonstrate better financial literacy and make better health-related decisions during the semester they took the course, findings revealed.

“Improved math skills helped these students outside of class,” said Ellen Peters, lead author of the study and professor of psychology at The Ohio State University.

“This study showed that knowing how to use numbers is important for everyone, even if you think you’re not using math. Numeracy helps people in their everyday lives.”

The  study appears in the journal PLOS ONE .

The study involved 221 students enrolled in an undergraduate psychology statistics course at Ohio State that is required for all psychology majors.

“Many students are not huge fans of the class because of the math involved, but it is a requirement,” said Peters, who is director of the Decision Sciences Collaborative at Ohio State.

The researchers wanted to see if a psychological intervention called values affirmation could help students succeed in the class by making them more comfortable dealing with the math that may intimidate them. The hope was that this would have a snowball effect, helping students in other areas of their life where numeracy is important.

Values affirmation has been shown in other studies to be helpful in a variety of educational situations.

Students first completed the values affirmation exercise near the beginning of the course. They were given a list of six values (including relationships with family and friends, spiritual/religious values and science/pursuit of knowledge) and asked to rank them in importance to themselves personally.

Half the students affirmed their values by spending 10 to 15 minutes writing why their most important value was meaningful to them.

The other half of the students, the study’s control group, took their least important value and wrote about why it might be meaningful for someone else.

The students repeated the exercise a second time right before their first exam.

This simple exercise had some impressive positive effects. The researchers found that students who participated in the values affirmation did significantly better on a test of their objective numeracy skills at the end of the course compared to their scores at the beginning. The students in the control group did not see improved scores.

Students also completed a questionnaire at the beginning and the end of the course that measured how good they thought they were at math and how much they preferred numbers over words. Results showed that students who completed the values affirmation showed no change in this subjective numeracy measure from the beginning to the end.

Researchers saw that lack of change as a positive development because those in the control group showed declines in how good they thought they were by the end of the course, presumably because of the stress and difficulties they faced in the statistics class.

While it may seem strange that a psychological intervention could help improve math skills, other studies have shown similar results. The key is that values affirmation reminds students of who they are and what is important to them in life. That, in turn, is thought to make them less stressed out about the math requirements and help them achieve some early successes in class, Peters said.

Those early successes then give students something to build on. “It has a snowball effect. Values affirmation is thought to help students get some early wins in class. That leads them to try harder and get more achievements and it creates a cycle of success,” Peters said.

The success in improving numeracy was important. But Peters said she was most interested in seeing if a boost in the students’ math literacy could help them in the real world. And the research found that it did.

Results showed that the better numeracy scores seen with the values affirmation led to students scoring higher on a financial literacy test. In addition, these students showed better health-related behaviors, intentions and habits (such as avoiding cigarettes and practicing safe sex) over the course of the class.

In contrast, students in the control group showed declines in both financial literacy and health behaviors from the beginning to the end of the semester, Peters said.

“We were able to show that numeric ability really matters outside of class. Math isn’t just for people who want a STEM career. It is for all of us,” she said.

Researchers also found that students who did the values affirmation exercise and showed better numeracy received better grades in the statistics class, had stronger intentions to take future math classes, and actually took more math classes in their college career. These results were correlational, however, and without a total effect of the intervention on these positive results so that the researchers couldn’t prove that values affirmation was the cause.

The researchers also examined whether the values affirmation and improved numeracy would improve financial outcomes, such as whether the students had an emergency fund. Similar correlational results were found, without a total effect, and Peters said more research is needed on this issue.

How can stronger numeracy skills help students make better health and financial decisions? While the answer to that question is beyond the scope of this study, Peters said evidence suggests people who are better at numbers also have a stronger understanding of probability and are less influenced by emotions in the moment. This helps them better understand the personal risk involved in health decisions such as smoking or having unprotected sex, so they make better choices.

Numbers are an important part of financial literacy and help people understand how mortgages and credit-card debt work, so it is not surprising that math skills help in this regard, she said.

This research was funded by the National Science Foundation.

Other co-authors from Ohio State’s Department of Psychology were Brittany Shoots-Reinhard, Mary Kate Tompkins, Louise Meilleur, Aleksander Sinayev, Martin Tusler, Laura Wagner and Jennifer Crocker. Dan Schley, a former Ohio State graduate student now at Erasmus University, was also a co-author.

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15 Uses of Mathematics in Our Daily Life: Unlocking the Magic of Numbers

• Post author By admin
• August 14, 2023

Explore the 15 uses of mathematics in our daily life, where numbers prove their significance. Discover how math influences various aspects of our routines and decisions for enhanced functionality and efficiency.

Hey there, math enthusiasts and curious minds alike! Ever stop to think about how mathematics sneaks its way into almost every nook and cranny of our daily routine?

Well, get ready to be amazed because we’re about to uncover 15 awesome ways math impacts our lives on the reg.

Picture this: from the moment you hit snooze on your alarm to catch a few extra Zzz’s, to the late-night snack you crave before bed—mathematics is there, quietly doing its thing.

And guess what? It’s not all about mind-boggling equations and complicated formulas. Nope, we’re talking about practical, down-to-earth ways math shapes our world and makes it tick.

So, grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let’s dive into a journey that will show you just how math is the secret ingredient to making life smoother, more logical, and surprisingly more fun.

From the kitchen to the gym, from budgeting to traveling—we’ve got you covered with the coolest ways math is right there with you every step of the way.

Get ready to see math in a whole new light and discover why it’s the ultimate sidekick for your daily adventures!

Table of Contents

What is the use of math?

There are many different kinds of math we use every day. Ever throw a ball or any object in a projectile motion that includes geometry, inertia, spatial calculations, banking of a road, and so on.

If you walk, geometry, friction, and inertia again, many math terms are used. Everything we are doing and watching, including any sports game, includes numbers. These are made up of the uses of math.

There are so many uses of math in our lives. Every aspect of life depends upon the use of numbers and arithmetic.

Living a life without mathematics seems empty.

“ Mathematics is the queen of science and arithmetics is the queen of mathematics. ” Carl Friedrich Gauss

15 Uses of Mathematics in Our Daily Life

Have a close look at 15 uses of mathematics in our daily life.

Cooking and Baking

Think of cooking as your tasty math lab! Every recipe is a math challenge. You’re measuring ingredients like flour, sugar, or milk.

If a recipe says you need 2 cups of flour, you’re using math to measure that exact amount. Baking a cake becomes a delicious math experiment.

Budgeting and Finances

Money is like your secret math tool. Imagine you get some pocket money. You have to decide how much to spend and how much to save.

This is budgeting, and it’s a math puzzle. If you have $20 and you want to save $5, you’ll spend $15 on things you like.

Shopping is like a math adventure. Ever seen discounts? Let’s say there’s a toy that costs $10, and it’s on sale for 20% off. To find out the sale price, you do a bit of math: 20% of $10 is $2.

So, you’ll pay $8 for the toy. Math helps you shop smart!

Time Management

Time is your everyday math buddy. Have a clock or watch? You’re doing time math! If you set an alarm to wake up, you’re using numbers to decide when.

Also, when you plan your day, you’re estimating how much time things take. If showering takes 15 minutes and breakfast takes 20 minutes, you need at least 35 minutes to get ready.

Home Improvement

Imagine you’re painting a room. You need to know how much paint to buy. Here comes math! If your room is 10 feet long and 8 feet wide, the walls are 320 square feet.

You use this to buy the right amount of paint. Math makes sure your room gets a fresh new look.

Driving is like a math adventure on wheels. If you’re going 60 miles per hour and you need to travel 120 miles, you can figure out that it’ll take you 2 hours to get there.

It’s like solving a puzzle with numbers while you cruise along.

Sports and Games

Games are full of math fun. Keeping score in a soccer match or counting points in a board game are math challenges. Even those sports stats you see on TV?

They’re all about numbers. Like knowing which player scored the most goals – that’s sports math!

Health and Fitness

Your body loves math too! Ever count steps? That’s math keeping you active. Also, knowing your BMI helps you stay healthy. It’s like a math way to check if you’re the right size for your age.

Going on a trip? Math comes along! Imagine you’re changing dollars to euros for a vacation. If $1 is equal to 0.85 euros, and you change $50, you’d get 42.5 euros. Math helps you spend smartly abroad.

Plants and math? Yup! When you’re planting in rows, you use math to space them out perfectly. Imagine planting flowers that need 6 inches of space each. Math helps you calculate how far apart to plant them so they can grow happily.

Technology Use

Tech and math are best friends. Ever seen a graph on your tablet? It’s a math tool that helps you understand stuff. Imagine a graph showing your game scores over time. You can tell when you’re doing your best, thanks to math!

Changing your room setup? Math is your decorator’s helper. Measuring furniture and the room helps you arrange things in a way that looks awesome. It’s like solving a puzzle with sofas and shelves!

Cooking Conversions

Some recipes use different units, like tablespoons instead of cups. Math helps you switch. Need to convert 2 cups to tablespoons? There are conversion charts that say it’s around 32 tablespoons. This is also where learning how to multiply fractions could be beneficial if you’re changing up the recipe. Math makes cooking even more fun!

Health and math go hand in hand. Ever had medicine? Doctors use math to figure out the right amount for you. If your weight says you need 5 mg of medicine, math helps make sure you get just that.

Planning Trips

Planning a journey? Math guides the way. You can estimate distances between places and calculate how long it’ll take to get there. It’s like a travel adventure powered by math maps.

Math is like your friendly helper in daily life, making things easier, more fun, and smarter. Whether you’re counting, measuring, or just wondering, math is there to make your world awesome!

What are the 5 roles of mathematics in our daily life?

Here are 5 super cool ways math is all over our everyday life:

Solving Stuff

Math is like a problem-solving sidekick. It helps us with things like figuring out how much paint we need for our room or the best way to get from A to B. It’s like having a detective for everyday mysteries!

Measuring Everything

Math is the magic behind measuring. Whether it’s the ingredients for your fave recipe, how far the park is, or even what time it is, math makes sure we get the right answers.

Choosing Wisely

When you’re picking between options, math is like your smart advisor. It helps us compare prices, find out discounts, and choose the best deals. It’s like having a shopping superhero!

Wrangling time can be tricky, but math is our time management buddy. It sets alarms, helps plan our day, and makes sure we’re where we need to be on time.

Pattern Pro

Ever noticed things that happen in a pattern? Math helps us spot these patterns. It’s like a secret code that helps us understand how things work and even predict what could happen next.

See, math isn’t just numbers on a page. It’s the superhero that makes our world more awesome every single day!

What is the application of math in modern world?

Math is like the ultimate toolkit that’s all over the place in our modern world. It’s not just about solving problems on paper – math actually shapes the cool stuff we use every day. Check out these ways math is rocking our world:

Ever wonder how your phone knows where you are? Math! It’s the wizard behind coding apps, making robots work, and even making video games super fun.

Healthy Heroes

Math isn’t just numbers; it’s a lifesaver in medicine. It helps doctors see inside your body with fancy machines like MRIs. Plus, it’s like a crystal ball for predicting diseases.

Money Talks

Banks and money wouldn’t work without math. Think about it – how do they figure out interest, make budgets, and decide where to invest? It’s all thanks to math’s genius.

Design Dreams

Architects and engineers are like math superheroes. They use math to build skyscrapers, bridges, and even roller coasters. It’s like their secret weapon for making things stand strong and look cool.

Space Explorers

Remember those epic space missions? Math is the brainpower behind launching rockets, exploring planets, and getting astronauts safely back home.

Internet Magic

Ever wondered how your messages zip around the world instantly? That’s math’s magic in action. It helps keep the internet fast and secure.

Planet Protectors

Math is also our Earth buddy. It helps scientists understand climate change, track animals, and keep our planet happy and healthy.

Math and art? Yep, they’re besties. Ever seen those mind-blowing digital art pieces? They’re created using math tricks and patterns that make your eyes pop.

Awesome Transportation

Math makes your rides smooth. It helps design highways, create GPS maps, and even figures out the fastest way to deliver your pizza.

Energy All-Stars

From solar panels to wind turbines, math is the mastermind behind clean energy. It helps make our world greener and cooler.

Social Savvy

Even in stuff like figuring out how people feel, math lends a hand. It helps scientists study big groups of people and guess what they might do next.

Crypto Wizards

Heard of digital money like Bitcoin? That’s math’s secret power, keeping transactions safe and secure.

So, next time you’re using your phone, building a LEGO masterpiece, or just living your awesome life, remember, math is right there, making everything cooler and more incredible!

How important are the numbers in our lives today?

Numbers are like the unsung heroes of our modern lives. They might seem simple, but their importance is beyond measure. Just think about how often you encounter numbers in your daily routine:

Communication

Phone numbers, addresses, and even emojis in your texts – they all involve numbers. Imagine trying to stay in touch without them!

Numbers on the clock dictate your schedule. From waking up to catching your favorite show, time is guided by numbers.

Money Matters

Numbers handle your finances. They help you budget, save, and spend wisely. Without them, money would be a puzzle.

Whether it’s passwords, Wi-Fi codes, or PINs, numbers keep your tech life secure and accessible.

Measurements

From recipes to road trips, numbers help you measure and quantify things accurately. Ever tried baking without measuring ingredients?

Travel and Navigation

Numbers on maps, distance markers, and GPS coordinates guide your journeys. They’re your travel buddies.

Health Tracking

Whether it’s your weight, steps taken, or heart rate, numbers help monitor your health and fitness progress.

Entertainment

Numbers decide game scores, movie ratings, and music charts. They keep the fun in balance.

Grades, test scores, and GPA all boil down to numbers. They track your learning journey.

Weather Forecasting

Numbers predict the weather. They help you decide whether to grab an umbrella or sunglasses.

Shopping and Discounts

Numbers reveal prices, discounts, and savings. They’re your savvy shopping companions.

Data and Trends

In the digital age, numbers shape trends and insights. They help scientists, marketers, and analysts understand the world.

Building and Design

Architects and engineers use numbers to create structures that are safe and stunning. Numbers are the blueprints for the world around us.

Social Media

Followers , likes, and shares – numbers rule social media interactions, connecting us in the digital realm.

Cooking and Recipes

Recipes are like math equations for deliciousness. Numbers tell you how much of each ingredient to use.

In a nutshell, numbers are the threads that weave our lives together. They’re the language that connects us, the tools that organize our world, and the foundation of progress.

Without numbers, life would be a bit like a jigsaw puzzle missing essential pieces. So, embrace the numbers, because they’re the true heroes behind our modern way of life.

Absolutely, math truly is the silent hero that shapes every aspect of our lives. It’s impossible to cover every single term, but we can definitely grasp the essence of its importance.

Everything we see, touch, and experience hinges on math. From towering skyscrapers to cozy homes, from the money we use to the gadgets we can’t live without, math plays a role in creating and understanding it all.

Imagine this: buildings stand tall because architects and engineers crunch numbers to make sure they’re sturdy and safe. Money makes the world go ’round, and math ensures our finances are balanced.

Computers, those magical devices, work thanks to complex algorithms and calculations. Even the simplest things like watches and timepieces are the result of math’s precision.

Here’s the cool part: math isn’t just a subject you study in school. It’s a language that the entire world speaks.

It’s in the gears of a bicycle, the recipe for your favorite cookies, and even in the rhythm of your favorite song. We’re swimming in math every day, even if we don’t realize it.

And hey, if you ever need help with math homework or understanding those tricky concepts, you’re not alone! Our math homework help services are here to guide you through the math maze and make it a whole lot less puzzling.

Remember, math is like a superpower that’s right at your fingertips, ready to make your life even more awesome!

Frequently Asked Questions

How does mathematics impact our financial decisions.

Mathematics provides the foundation for budgeting, investing, and making informed financial choices, ensuring our financial well-being.

Can mathematics help in home improvement projects?

Absolutely. Mathematics guides accurate measurements and calculations in DIY projects, making tasks like cutting materials and building structures much easier.

What role does mathematics play in health monitoring?

Mathematics aids in interpreting medical test results, calculating medication dosages, and monitoring vital signs, contributing to better health management.

How can mathematics enhance our travel experiences?

Mathematics assists in planning routes, estimating travel times, and managing currency conversions, leading to smoother and more enjoyable journeys.

Is mathematics important for cooking and baking?

Yes, precise measurements and conversions are essential in cooking and baking. Mathematics ensures that recipes turn out deliciously and accurately.

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Math in Daily Life

Table of contents.

Kids are very inquisitive. They need to be explained the importance of Math in their daily life at an early age, for them to enjoy doing it instead of doing it without the love for the subject.

Math in Daily Life: When am I ever going to use Math?

The truth is that we use math all the time!

It is pertinent to note how one experiences mathematical applications in daily life from the time one gets up from bed till one goes to bed in the night.

Be it a cook or a farmer, a carpenter, a mechanic, a shopkeeper or a doctor, an engineer or a scientist, a musician or a magician, an artist or a tailor, everyone needs math in daily life.

Math in Daily Life - PDF

This will help us understand the importance of maths in daily life. It summarizes some real-life examples with activities. The importance of maths in our daily life and few real-life examples are mentioned below in the Downloadable PDF.

Why is Math Important in our Daily Life?

Math is very useful in everyday life. Math can help us do many things that are important in our everyday lives. Here are some daily tasks for which math is important:

Managing time:  Keeping a track of time is very important to do all you love to do

Budgeting:  Managing money, understanding discounts, and buying for the best price

Sports:  Score, Time, Strategizing to win

Cooking:  Measuring the ingredients to add to a recipe, kitchen inventory planning

Exercising and Dieting

Driving:  Distance traveled, the shortest route to take to reach a destination

Home Decorating

Stitching:  Measurements to stitch a dress

Critical Thinking

The base of other Subjects

Some Real-Life Examples with Activities

  managing time.

 When we get up in the morning, we see the time of waking to verify whether we have enough time to complete various tasks. (Awareness of time, reading a clock/watch, planning one’s routine)

Task: Encourage the kids to make a daily timetable for their daily activities allocating time for their hobbies, academics, leisure, sports, etc.

How much is this shirt or blouse going to cost once the 50% sale is applied? What about once the taxes are added? Do you prefer to gather your things and hope for a great deal on the cash counter? Or know the price before heading there.

That takes math knowledge and at least a basic understanding of how percentages work.

Task: Fix pocket money for your kids and guide them to manage it in a proper way.

We set our routine according to our workout schedule, count the number of repetitions while exercising, etc., just based on math.

Task: let the kids practice any type of exercise like skipping, push-ups, running, and ask them to keep a count of their repetitions.

Basic knowledge of math also helps keep track of scores for every sports activity. Geometry and trigonometry can help your teens who want to improve their skills in sports. It can help them find the best way to hit a ball, make a basket or run around the track.

Task: Introduce the kids to a new sport on TV and let them judge the winning team.

The recipe calls for “3 tablespoons” of salt. You only have a teaspoon or a soup spoon. The recipe calls for “2 cups,” but you only have a quarter cup measuring tool and a half cup measuring tool. How much adds up to “2 ”? You may know the answer.

But that’s because you understand math, fractions, and conversions.

Task: Bake a cake :)

Operating a car or motorcycle is ultimately nothing but a series of calculations viz., How many kilometers needed to reach the destination? How much petrol in the car? How many kilometers per hour am I able to drive? How many kilometers per liter does my car get? Oh no, I’ve hit a traffic jam, and now my pace has slowed, am I still going to make it to work on time?

All of these questions are extremely easily answered with basic math skills.

Task: Calculate the speed of the school bus by using the distance and time of travel.

How many rolls of wallpaper do we need for this wall? What’s the difference between a meter and a square meter? Do we have enough space to fit in your favorite couch? Common questions when you are trying to set up your new space or apartment. It's very important to know these basics before you head to a store, otherwise, you will end up coming back empty-handed as the sales representative won’t be able to help you without the proper input from your side.

You should have a fair knowledge of dimensions and units and unit conversions to be able to sail through. It seems fairly simple if you know how to do the math.

Task: Help the kids to measure their study table.

Just home decorating, math is also an essential concept of fashion designing. From taking measurements, estimating the quantity and quality of clothes, choosing the color theme, estimating the cost and profit, to produce cloth according to the needs and tastes of the customers, math is followed at every stage.

Task: Join the cut pieces of waste cloth and make a small table cover.

Technically ‘critical thinking’ is not even Math as there are no numbers involved. But knowledge of Math surely increases the ability to think critically.

The more math skills you gain, the more you observe the minute details, question the available data, rule out unnecessary data and analyze it further for your benefit.

Task: Solve a puzzle

The base of all other subjects

Though math is itself a unique subject. But, you would be surprised to know that it forms the base for every subject. The subjects like physics, chemistry, economics, history, accountancy, statistics, in fact; every subject is based upon math.

So, next time you say, “I’m not going to study this math subject ever!” remember, this subject will not be going to leave you ever.

Task: Takedown the important dates in the History in chronological order.

Math is a tool in our hands to make our life smoother. The more mathematical we are in our approach, the more rational would be our thoughts. It’s time to understand the importance of the subject and enjoy the beauty of it. Math is a medium that should be embraced by everyone in all our walks of life.

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Cuemath, a student-friendly mathematics and coding platform, conducts regular  Online Classes  for academics and skill-development, and their Mental Math App, on both  iOS  and  Android , is a one-stop solution for kids to develop multiple skills. Understand the Cuemath Fee structure and sign up for a free trial.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does math help with in life.

Math helps us have better problem-solving skills. Math helps us think analytically and have better reasoning abilities. The reasoning is our ability to think logically about a situation. Analytical and reasoning skills are essential because they help us solve problems and look for solutions.

Why is math so hard?

Math seems difficult because it takes time and energy. Many people don't experience sufficient time to "get" math lessons, and they fall behind as the teacher moves on. Many move on to study more complex concepts with a shaky foundation. We often end up with a weak structure that is doomed to collapse at some point.

What is the need and importance of mathematics in daily life?

Mathematics makes our life orderly and prevents chaos. Certain qualities that are nurtured by mathematics are the power of reasoning, creativity, abstract or spatial thinking, critical thinking, problem-solving ability, and even effective communication skills.

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Khan Academy Blog

Unlocking the Power of Math Learning: Strategies and Tools for Success

posted on September 20, 2023

Mathematics, the foundation of all sciences and technology, plays a fundamental role in our everyday lives. Yet many students find the subject challenging, causing them to shy away from it altogether. This reluctance is often due to a lack of confidence, a misunderstanding of unclear concepts, a move ahead to more advanced skills before they are ready, and ineffective learning methods. However, with the right approach, math learning can be both rewarding and empowering. This post will explore different approaches to learning math, strategies for success, and cutting-edge tools to help you achieve your goals.

Math Learning

Math learning can take many forms, including traditional classroom instruction, online courses, and self-directed learning. A multifaceted approach to math learning can improve understanding, engage students, and promote subject mastery. A 2014 study by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics found that the use of multiple representations, such as visual aids, graphs, and real-world examples, supports the development of mathematical connections, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.

Moreover, the importance of math learning goes beyond solving equations and formulas. Advanced math skills are essential for success in many fields, including science, engineering, finance, health care, and technology. In fact, a report by Burning Glass Technologies found that 71% of high-salary, entry-level positions require advanced math skills.

Benefits of Math Learning

In today’s 21st-century world, having a broad knowledge base and strong reading and math skills is essential. Mathematical literacy plays a crucial role in this success. It empowers individuals to comprehend the world around them and make well-informed decisions based on data-driven understanding. More than just earning good grades in math, mathematical literacy is a vital life skill that can open doors to economic opportunities, improve financial management, and foster critical thinking. We’re not the only ones who say so:

• Math learning enhances problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and logical reasoning abilities. (Source: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics )
• It improves analytical skills that can be applied in various real-life situations, such as budgeting or analyzing data. (Source: Southern New Hampshire University )
• Math learning promotes creativity and innovation by fostering a deep understanding of patterns and relationships. (Source: Purdue University )
• It provides a strong foundation for careers in fields such as engineering, finance, computer science, and more. These careers generally correlate to high wages. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics )
• Math skills are transferable and can be applied across different academic disciplines. (Source: Sydney School of Education and Social Work )

How to Know What Math You Need to Learn

Often students will find gaps in their math knowledge; this can occur at any age or skill level. As math learning is generally iterative, a solid foundation and understanding of the math skills that preceded current learning are key to success. The solution to these gaps is called mastery learning, the philosophy that underpins Khan Academy’s approach to education .

Mastery learning is an educational philosophy that emphasizes the importance of a student fully understanding a concept before moving on to the next one. Rather than rushing students through a curriculum, mastery learning asks educators to ensure that learners have “mastered” a topic or skill, showing a high level of proficiency and understanding, before progressing. This approach is rooted in the belief that all students can learn given the appropriate learning conditions and enough time, making it a markedly student-centered method. It promotes thoroughness over speed and encourages individualized learning paths, thus catering to the unique learning needs of each student.

Students will encounter mastery learning passively as they go through Khan Academy coursework, as our platform identifies gaps and systematically adjusts to support student learning outcomes. More details can be found in our Educators Hub . 

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How to learn math.

Learning at School

One of the most common methods of math instruction is classroom learning. In-class instruction provides students with real-time feedback, practical application, and a peer-learning environment. Teachers can personalize instruction by assessing students’ strengths and weaknesses, providing remediation when necessary, and offering advanced instruction to students who need it.

Learning at Home

Supplemental learning at home can complement traditional classroom instruction. For example, using online resources that provide additional practice opportunities, interactive games, and demonstrations, can help students consolidate learning outside of class. E-learning has become increasingly popular, with a wealth of online resources available to learners of all ages. The benefits of online learning include flexibility, customization, and the ability to work at one’s own pace. One excellent online learning platform is Khan Academy, which offers free video tutorials, interactive practice exercises, and a wealth of resources across a range of mathematical topics.

Moreover, parents can encourage and monitor progress, answer questions, and demonstrate practical applications of math in everyday life. For example, when at the grocery store, parents can ask their children to help calculate the price per ounce of two items to discover which one is the better deal. Cooking and baking with your children also provides a lot of opportunities to use math skills, like dividing a recipe in half or doubling the ingredients. 

Learning Math with the Help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

AI-powered tools are changing the way students learn math. Personalized feedback and adaptive practice help target individual needs. Virtual tutors offer real-time help with math concepts while AI algorithms identify areas for improvement. Custom math problems provide tailored practice, and natural language processing allows for instant question-and-answer sessions. 

Using Khan Academy’s AI Tutor, Khanmigo

Transform your child’s grasp of mathematics with Khanmigo , the 24/7 AI-powered tutor that specializes in tailored, one-on-one math instruction. Available at any time, Khanmigo provides personalized support that goes beyond mere answers to nurture genuine mathematical understanding and critical thinking. Khanmigo can track progress, identify strengths and weaknesses, and offer real-time feedback to help students stay on the right track. Within a secure and ethical AI framework, your child can tackle everything from basic arithmetic to complex calculus, all while you maintain oversight using robust parental controls.

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Math learning is essential for success in the modern world, and with the right approach, it can also be enjoyable and rewarding. Learning math requires curiosity, diligence, and the ability to connect abstract concepts with real-world applications. Strategies for effective math learning include a multifaceted approach, including classroom instruction, online courses, homework, tutoring, and personalized AI support. 

So, don’t let math anxiety hold you back; take advantage of available resources and technology to enhance your knowledge base and enjoy the benefits of math learning.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, “Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All” , April 2014

Project Lead The Way Research Report, “The Power of Transportable Skills: Assessing the Demand and Value of the Skills of the Future” , 2020

Page. M, “Why Develop Quantitative and Qualitative Data Analysis Skills?” , 2016

Mann. EL, Creativity: The Essence of Mathematics, Journal for the Education of the Gifted. Vol. 30, No. 2, 2006, pp. 236–260, http://www.prufrock.com ’

Nakakoji Y, Wilson R.” Interdisciplinary Learning in Mathematics and Science: Transfer of Learning for 21st Century Problem Solving at University ”. J Intell. 2020 Sep 1;8(3):32. doi: 10.3390/jintelligence8030032. PMID: 32882908; PMCID: PMC7555771.

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Math Matters in Everyday Life

Dear Parents,

Math is very useful in everyday life. Math can help us do many things that are important in our everyday lives. Here are some daily tasks for which math is important:

• Managing money $$$
• Balancing the checkbook
• Shopping for the best price
• Preparing food
• Figuring out distance, time and cost for travel
• Understanding loans for cars, trucks, homes, schooling or other purposes
• Understanding sports (being a player and team statistics)
• Playing music
• Home decorating
• Gardening and landscaping

Parents can help teens connect math they learn in school and their everyday lives. As a parent, you could talk to your teen about how you use math in your daily life. You could also ask family members and friends how they use math in their daily lives. Please talk to your teens about these math connections to real world. Share with your child the examples of everyday math applications, which are listed below. When your teens hear how math can be used every day, they will be more likely to view math 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.

The testimonials included on this website give brief examples of how people use math in their daily lives. Please watch these. You can share information from these videos with your teen.

Examples of Math Connections to Daily life

Managing money.

Your teen will learn skills in algebra class that will help them with money. One important skill they will learn is how to calculate interest and compound interest. Your teen can use this skill to manage their money now and when they grow up. This skill also will help them pick the best bank account. It will also help them decide which credit card is best to have. People who take out loans need to understand interest. It will also help them figure out the best ways to save and invest money.

Recreational Sports

Geometry and trigonometry can help your teens who want to improve their skill in sports. It can help them find the best way to hit a ball, make a basket or run around the track. Basic knowledge of math also helps keep track of sports scores.

Home Decorating and Remodeling

Calculating areas is an important skill. It will be useful for your teen in remodeling future homes and apartments. It will help your teen find how much paint they need to buy when repainting a room. It is also an important skill for anyone who wants to install new tiles in a bathroom or a kitchen. Knowing how to calculate perimeters can help your child when deciding how much lumber to buy for floor or ceiling trim.

People use math knowledge when cooking. For example, it is very common to use a half or double of a recipe. In this case, people use proportions and ratios to make correct calculations for each ingredient. If a recipe calls for 2/3 of a cup of flour, the cook has to calculate how much is half or double of 2/3 of a cup. Then the cook has to represent the amount using standard measures used in baking, such as ¼ cup, 1/3 cup, ½ cup or 1 cup.

Your teen will use math when buying different items. When buying a new computer, your child will need to figure out which store offers the best price or best financing. Math is useful in finding the best deal for food items. For example, your teen will need to decide which pack of soda to buy when given a choice of 20 oz., 2-liter, 12 pack, or 24-pack. Stores often have sales that give a percentage off an original price. It is helpful for people to know how to figure out the savings. This math skill is very useful because it helps us calculate discounts so we can buy an item for the best price offered.

Note. Partial content of this web page is adapted from Making Connections: Helping Your Teen With the Choices Ahead brochure (Harackiewicz, Hyde & Hulleman, n.d.) and Making Connections: Helping Your Teen Find Value in School brochure (Hulleman, Harackiewicz & Hyde, 2007). Please refer to the links to the brochures under the useful links for parents tab if you would like access to the full brochures.

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July 12, 2017

Study reveals the hidden ways math helps us in everyday life

by Jeff Grabmeier, The Ohio State University

A psychological intervention implemented to help students cope and learn more in a tough statistics course did more than just help them in the class, a new study found.

Researchers found the intervention helped students improve their math literacy - what scientists call ' numeracy ' - which was vital for success in the course.

But it also helped the intervention students, compared to students who did not get the intervention, demonstrate better financial literacy and make better health-related decisions during the semester they took the course, findings revealed.

"Improved math skills helped these students outside of class ," said Ellen Peters, lead author of the study and professor of psychology at The Ohio State University.

"This study showed that knowing how to use numbers is important for everyone, even if you think you're not using math. Numeracy helps people in their everyday lives."

The study appears in the journal PLOS ONE .

The study involved 221 students enrolled in an undergraduate psychology statistics course at Ohio State that is required for all psychology majors.

"Many students are not huge fans of the class because of the math involved, but it is a requirement," said Peters, who is director of the Decision Sciences Collaborative at Ohio State.

The researchers wanted to see if a psychological intervention called values affirmation could help students succeed in the class by making them more comfortable dealing with the math that may intimidate them. The hope was that this would have a snowball effect, helping students in other areas of their life where numeracy is important.

Values affirmation has been shown in other studies to be helpful in a variety of educational situations.

Students first completed the values affirmation exercise near the beginning of the course. They were given a list of six values (including relationships with family and friends, spiritual/religious values and science/pursuit of knowledge) and asked to rank them in importance to themselves personally.

Half the students affirmed their values by spending 10 to 15 minutes writing why their most important value was meaningful to them.

The other half of the students, the study's control group, took their least important value and wrote about why it might be meaningful for someone else.

The students repeated the exercise a second time right before their first exam.

This simple exercise had some impressive positive effects. The researchers found that students who participated in the values affirmation did significantly better on a test of their objective numeracy skills at the end of the course compared to their scores at the beginning. The students in the control group did not see improved scores.

Students also completed a questionnaire at the beginning and the end of the course that measured how good they thought they were at math and how much they preferred numbers over words. Results showed that students who completed the values affirmation showed no change in this subjective numeracy measure from the beginning to the end.

Researchers saw that lack of change as a positive development because those in the control group showed declines in how good they thought they were by the end of the course, presumably because of the stress and difficulties they faced in the statistics class.

While it may seem strange that a psychological intervention could help improve math skills , other studies have shown similar results. The key is that values affirmation reminds students of who they are and what is important to them in life. That, in turn, is thought to make them less stressed out about the math requirements and help them achieve some early successes in class, Peters said.

Those early successes then give students something to build on. "It has a snowball effect. Values affirmation is thought to help students get some early wins in class. That leads them to try harder and get more achievements and it creates a cycle of success," Peters said.

The success in improving numeracy was important. But Peters said she was most interested in seeing if a boost in the students' math literacy could help them in the real world. And the research found that it did.

Results showed that the better numeracy scores seen with the values affirmation led to students scoring higher on a financial literacy test. In addition, these students showed better health-related behaviors, intentions and habits (such as avoiding cigarettes and practicing safe sex) over the course of the class.

In contrast, students in the control group showed declines in both financial literacy and health behaviors from the beginning to the end of the semester, Peters said.

"We were able to show that numeric ability really matters outside of class. Math isn't just for people who want a STEM career. It is for all of us," she said.

Researchers also found that students who did the values affirmation exercise and showed better numeracy received better grades in the statistics class, had stronger intentions to take future math classes, and actually took more math classes in their college career. These results were correlational, however, and without a total effect of the intervention on these positive results so that the researchers couldn't prove that values affirmation was the cause.

The researchers also examined whether the values affirmation and improved numeracy would improve financial outcomes, such as whether the students had an emergency fund. Similar correlational results were found, without a total effect, and Peters said more research is needed on this issue.

How can stronger numeracy skills help students make better health and financial decisions? While the answer to that question is beyond the scope of this study, Peters said evidence suggests people who are better at numbers also have a stronger understanding of probability and are less influenced by emotions in the moment. This helps them better understand the personal risk involved in health decisions such as smoking or having unprotected sex, so they make better choices.

Numbers are an important part of financial literacy and help people understand how mortgages and credit-card debt work, so it is not surprising that math skills help in this regard, she said.

Journal information: PLoS ONE

Provided by The Ohio State University

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• May 24, 2019

Using maths in everyday life: real world maths

Everyday, we make hundreds of decisions based on maths without even realising it. Here are just some of the daily decisions you may face, and how you use maths to make them!

8:00am: the alarm goes off

How long do you have before you need to leave? You can calculate how many minutes you have until your bus leaves and subtract the amount of time you need to spend on getting ready. If there are some spare minutes, you can press snooze!

8:45am: Walking to the bus stop

The bus leaves in 15 minutes – you can estimate how long it will take to walk to the bus stop and subtract that from the current time to work out what time you need to leave. You will need to add more time if you have lots of things to carry.

11:30am: Morning sport at school

If you’re the striker, you may use statistics: if you know the goalkeeper always saves balls that land on the right, you can aim for the left. You also work out the angle at which to hit the ball without even thinking about it!

2:30pm: Time for Art class!

When drawing faces, you think about fractions and shapes so that you can make it look as realistic as possible. If you draw an egg shape and then draw a line halfway across, you can work out where to put the eyes. One head is about five eyes wide, so you can estimate where the two eyes will go. Maths is used very frequently in art – da Vinci used maths to paint the Mona Lisa!

4:15pm: Walking home from school

You can use multiplication to work out what the cost will be if you buy more than one of the same thing, or use percentages to check the price with a discount.

6:05pm: Making dinner

A recipe might tell you that it will serve eight people and you only need to feed four, so you can halve all of the ingredients. You also need to know how long it will take each item to cook – for example, pasta, sauce and bread – and then work out the order you need to cook them so they are all ready at the same time.  

These are just some of the mathematical decisions we make every single day, and that’s not even thinking about the specific maths decisions as we get older, such as looking at interest on bank accounts, taking out mortgages, working out whether we can afford a new car, planning journeys… The maths goes on!

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4 reasons why math is important for everyday life.

Mar 27, 2019

For many students, math is a difficult subject to thoroughly comprehend. In mathematics, there is one correct answer for any given equation, and when students are unable to reach the conclusion, it can be a discouraging feeling. Math is more important to our everyday lives than just being able to solve for ‘x’ - it helps us with real-world problem solving, helps our brains process information faster, and it helps us develop critical thinking skills. Here are a few reasons why math is an important function in our everyday lives:

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a skill that helps us make informed and educated decisions, without being influenced by outside bias or other distractions. Taking into consideration all components of a problem, dispelling any notion that would be invaluable to reaching a conclusion, and making reasonable assessments about how to reach your final outcome, will help you make smart life choices. Although you may never need to find out the square root of 81 in your future, understanding how to solve a problem by using all the information that is provided to form a clear & concise conclusion is beneficial to you when making other life decisions.

Helps With Financial Decisions

Math will help you make sound monetary decisions. There will come a point when you will have to make small financial choices (i.e. tipping your waiter, comprehending sales tax, etc.) and large financial decisions (i.e applying for a mortgage, budgeting household expenses, etc.) Having a fundamental understanding of how money works, how to manage your money and calculating risk vs. reward will all be beneficial for your future.

Math Will Become a Part Of Your Future Profession

You may not even consider a career involving anything to do with numbers, but math will follow you as you make a name for yourself in the future. Individuals that work in retail stores may be responsible for cash which utilizes fundamental arithmetic, those that choose a future in construction may require an understanding of trigonometric functions, and those that pursue a career in health care will have to know how to calculate dosages of medication and measure body mass indexes, etc. Even then, you will need to have a basic understanding of time management to calculate what time you need to leave your house to make it to work on time, as well as how long certain tasks take so that you can complete all your duties on time.

Strengthens Your Brain

Most importantly, math will help you step out of your comfort zone. It may make you uncomfortable at first, but once you comprehend a concept it can help improve your self-confidence and supply you with the courage that you need to accept the mistakes you’ve made. Those that pursue math are generally proficient at multitasking & making detail-oriented observations. Math will also help you do well in other ventures that you may be interested in such as playing a musical instrument, video games, knitting, sewing, and virtually any sport.

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9 Ways to Improve Math Skills Quickly & Effectively

Written by Ashley Crowe

Help your child improve their math skills with the game that makes learning an adventure!

• Parent Resources

The importance of understanding basic math skills

• 9 Ways to improve math skills
• How to use technology to improve math skills

Math class can move pretty fast. There’s so much to cover in the course of a school year. And if your child doesn’t get a new math idea right away, they can quickly get left behind.

If your child is struggling with basic math problems every day, it doesn’t mean they’re destined to be bad at math. Some students need more time to develop the problem-solving skills that math requires. Others may need to revisit past concepts before moving on. Because of how math is structured, it’s best to take each year step-by-step, lesson by lesson.

This article has tips and tricks to improve your child’s math skills while minimizing frustrations and struggles. If your child is growing to hate math, read on for ways to improve their skills and confidence, and maybe even make math fun! 

But first, the basics.

Math is a subject that builds on itself. It takes a solid understanding of past concepts to prepare for the next lesson. 

That’s why math can become frustrating when you’re forced to move on before you’re ready. You’re either stuck trying to catch up or you end up falling further behind.

But with a strong understanding of basic math skills, your child can be set up for school success. If you’re unfamiliar with the idea of sets or whole numbers , this is a great place to start. 

What are considered basic math skills?

The basic math skills required to move on to higher levels of math learning are: 

• Addition — Adding to a set.
• Subtraction — Taking away from a set.
• Multiplication — Adding equal sets together in groups (2 sets of 3 is the same as 2x3, or 6).
• Division — How many equal sets can be found in a number (12 has how many sets of two in it? 6 sets of 2).
• Percentages — A specific amount in relation to 100.
• Fractions & Decimals — Fractions are equal parts of a whole set. Decimals represent a number of parts of a whole in relation to 10. These both contrast with whole numbers. 
• Spatial Reasoning — How numbers and shapes fit together.

How to improve math skills 

People aren’t bad at math — many just need more time and practice to gain a thorough understanding.

How can you help your child improve their math abilities? Use our top 9 tips for quickly and effectively improving math skills .

1. Wrap your head around the concepts

Repetition and practice are great, but if you don’t understand the concept , it will be difficult to move forward. 

Luckily, there are many great ways to break down math concepts . The trick is finding the one that works best for your child.

Math manipulatives can be a game-changer for children who are struggling with big math ideas. Taking math off the page and putting it into their hands can bring ideas to life. Numbers become less abstract and more concrete when you’re counting toy cars or playing with blocks. Creating these “sets” of objects can bring clarity to basic math learning.

2. Try game-based learning

During math practice, repetition is important — but it can get old in a hurry. No one enjoys copying their times tables over and over and over again. If learning math has become a chore, it’s time to bring back the fun! 

Game-based learning is a great way to practice new concepts and solidify past lessons. It can even make repetition fun and engaging.

Game-based learning can look like a family board game on Friday night or an educational app , like Prodigy Math .

Take math from frustrating to fun with the right game, then watch the learning happen easily!

3. Bring math into daily life

You use basic math every day. 

As you go about your day, help your child see the math that’s all around them:  

• Tell them how fast you’re driving on the way to school
• Calculate the discount you’ll receive on your next Target trip
• Count out the number of apples you need to buy at the grocery store
• While baking, explain how 6 quarter cups is the same amount of flour as a cup and a half — then enjoy some cookies!

Relate math back to what your child loves and show them how it’s used every day. Math doesn’t have to be mysterious or abstract. Instead, use math to race monster trucks or arrange tea parties. Break it down, take away the fear, and watch their interest in math grow.

4. Implement daily practice

Math practice is important. Once you understand the concept, you have to nail down the mechanics. And often, it’s the practice that finally helps the concept click. Either way, math requires more than just reading formulas on a page.

Daily practice can be tough to implement, especially with a math-averse child. This is a great time to bring out the game-based learning mentioned above. Or find an activity that lines up with their current lesson. Are they learning about squares? Break out the math link cubes and create them. Whenever possible, step away from the worksheets and flashcards and find practice elsewhere.

5. Sketch word problems

Nothing causes a panic quite like an unexpected word problem. Something about the combination of numbers and words can cause the brain of a struggling math learner to shut down. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Many word problems just need to be broken down, step by step . One great way to do this is to sketch it out. If Doug has five apples and four oranges, then eats two of each, how many does he have left? Draw it, talk it out, cross them off, then count. 

If you’ve been talking your child through the various math challenges you encounter every day, many word problems will start to feel familiar. 

6. Set realistic goals

If your child has fallen behind in math, then more study time is the answer. But forcing them to cram an extra hour of math in their day is not likely to produce better results. To see a positive change, first identify their biggest struggles . Then set realistic goals addressing these issues . 

Two more hours of practicing a concept they don’t understand is only going to cause more frustration. Even if they can work through the mechanics of a problem, the next lesson will leave them feeling just as lost. 

Instead, try mini practice sessions and enlist some extra help. Approach the problem in a new way, reach out to their teacher or try an online math lesson . Make sure the extra time is troubleshooting the actual problem, not just reinforcing the idea that math is hard and no fun. 

Set Goals and Rewards in Prodigy Math

Did you know that parents can set learning goals for their child in Prodigy Math? And once they achieve them, they'll unlock in-game rewards of your choice!

7. Engage with a math tutor

If your child is struggling with big picture concepts, look into finding a math tutor . Everyone learns differently, and you and your child’s teacher may be missing that “aha” moment that a little extra time and the right tutor can provide.

It’s amazing when a piece of the math puzzle finally clicks for your child. If you’re ready to get that extra help, try a free 1:1 online session from Prodigy Math Tutoring. Prodigy’s tutors are real teachers who know how to connect kids to math. With the right approach, your child can become confident in math — and who knows, they may even begin to enjoy it. 

8. Focus on one concept at a time

Math builds on itself. If your child is struggling through their current lesson, they can’t skip it and come back to it later. This is the time to practice and repeat — re-examining and reinforcing the current concept until it makes sense.

Look for other ways to approach new math ideas. Use math manipulatives to bring numbers off the page. Or try a learning app with exciting rewards and positive reinforcement to encourage extra practice. 

Take a step back when frustrations get high — but resist the temptation to just let it go. Once the concept clicks, they’ll be excited to forge ahead.

9. Teach others math you already know

Even if your child is struggling in math, they’ve still learned so much since last year. Focus on the improvements they’ve made and let them showcase their knowledge. If they have younger siblings, your older child can demonstrate addition or show them how to use a number line. This is a great way to build their confidence and encourage them to keep going.

Or let them teach you how they solve new problems. Have your child talk you through the process while you solve a long division problem . You’re likely to find yourself a little rusty on the details. Play it up and get a little silly. They’ll love teaching you the ropes of this “new math.”

Embracing technology to improve math skills

Though much of your math learning was done with pencil to paper, there are many more ways to build number skills in today’s tech world. 

Your child can take live, online math courses to work through tough concepts. Or play a variety of online games, solving math puzzles and getting consistent practice while having fun.

These technical advances can help every child learn math, no matter their preferred learning or study style. If your child is a visual learner, there’s an app for that. Do they process best while working in groups? Jump online and find one. Don’t keep repeating the same lessons from their math class over and over. Branch out, try something new and watch the learning click. 

Look online for more math help

There are so many online resources, it can be hard to know where to start. 

At Prodigy, we’re happy to help you get the ball rolling on your child’s math learning, from kindergarten through 8th grade. It’s free to sign up, fun to play and exciting to watch as your child’s math understanding grows.

Sign up for a free parent account and get instant data on your child’s progress as they build more math skills with Prodigy Math Game . It’s time to take the math struggle out of your home and enjoy learning together!

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What Students Are Saying About the Value of Math

We asked teenagers: Do you see the point in learning math? The answer from many was “yes.”

By The Learning Network

“Mathematics, I now see, is important because it expands the world,” Alec Wilkinson writes in a recent guest essay . “It is a point of entry into larger concerns. It teaches reverence. It insists one be receptive to wonder. It requires that a person pay close attention.”

In our writing prompt “ Do You See the Point in Learning Math? ” we wanted to know if students agreed. Basic arithmetic, sure, but is there value in learning higher-level math, such as algebra, geometry and calculus? Do we appreciate math enough?

The answer from many students — those who love and those who “detest” the subject alike — was yes. Of course math helps us balance checkbooks and work up budgets, they said, but it also helps us learn how to follow a formula, appreciate music, draw, shoot three-pointers and even skateboard. It gives us different perspectives, helps us organize our chaotic thoughts, makes us more creative, and shows us how to think rationally.

Not all were convinced that young people should have to take higher-level math classes all through high school, but, as one student said, “I can see myself understanding even more how important it is and appreciating it more as I get older.”

Thank you to all the teenagers who joined the conversation on our writing prompts this week, including students from Bentonville West High School in Centerton, Ark, ; Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles ; and North High School in North St. Paul, Minn.

Please note: Student comments have been lightly edited for length, but otherwise appear as they were originally submitted.

“Math is a valuable tool and function of the world.”

As a musician, math is intrinsically related to my passion. As a sailor, math is intertwined with the workings of my boat. As a human, math is the building block for all that functions. When I was a child, I could very much relate to wanting a reason behind math. I soon learned that math IS the reason behind all of the world’s workings. Besides the benefits that math provides to one’s intellect, it becomes obvious later in life that math is a valuable tool and function of the world. In music for example, “adolescent mathematics” are used to portray functions of audio engineering. For example, phase shifting a sine wave to better project sound or understanding waves emitted by electricity and how they affect audio signals. To better understand music, math is a recurring pattern of intervals between generating pitches that are all mathematically related. The frets on a guitar are measured precisely to provide intervals based on a tuning system surrounding 440Hz, which is the mathematically calculated middle of the pitches humans can perceive and a string can effectively generate. The difference between intervals in making a chord are not all uniform, so guitar frets are placed in a way where all chords can sound equally consonant and not favor any chord. The power of mathematics! I am fascinated by the way that math creeps its way into all that I do, despite my plentiful efforts to keep it at a safe distance …

— Renan, Miami Country Day School

“Math isn’t about taking derivatives or solving for x, it’s about having the skills to do so and putting them to use elsewhere in life.”

I believe learning mathematics is both crucial to the learning and development of 21st century students and yet also not to be imposed upon learners too heavily. Aside from the rise in career opportunity in fields centered around mathematics, the skills gained while learning math are able to be translated to many facets of life after a student’s education. Learning mathematics develops problem solving skills which combine logic and reasoning in students as they grow. The average calculus student may complain of learning how to take derivatives, arguing that they will never have to use this after high school, and in that, they may be right. Many students in these math classes will become writers, musicians, or historians and may never take a derivative in their life after high school, and thus deem the skill to do so useless. However, learning mathematics isn’t about taking derivatives or solving for x, it’s about having the skills to do so and putting them to use elsewhere in life. A student who excels at calculus may never use it again, but with the skills of creativity and rational thinking presented by this course, learning mathematics will have had a profound effect on their life.

— Cam, Glenbard West

“Just stop and consider your hobbies and pastimes … all of it needs math.”

Math is timing, it’s logic, it’s precision, it’s structure, and it’s the way most of the physical world works. I love math — especially algebra and geometry — as it all follows a formula, and if you set it up just right, you can create almost anything you want in at least two different ways. Just stop and consider your hobbies and pastimes. You could be into skateboarding, basketball, or skiing. You could be like me, and sit at home for hours on end grinding out solves on a Rubik’s cube. Or you could be into sketching. Did you know that a proper drawing of the human face places the eyes exactly halfway down from the top of the head? All of it needs math. Author Alec Wilkinson, when sharing his high school doubting view on mathematics, laments “If I had understood how deeply mathematics is embedded in the world …” You can’t draw a face without proportions. You can’t stop with your skis at just any angle. You can’t get three points without shooting at least 22 feet away from the basket, and get this: you can’t even ride a skateboard if you can’t create four congruent wheels to put on it.

— Marshall, Union High School, Vancouver, WA

“Math gives us a different perspective on everyday activities.”

Even though the question “why do we even do math?” is asked all the time, there is a deeper meaning to the values it shares. Math gives us a different perspective on everyday activities, even if those activities in our routine have absolutely nothing to do with mathematical concepts itself. Geometry, for instance, allows us to think on a different level than simply achieving accuracy maintains. It trains our mind to look at something from various viewpoints as well as teaching us to think before acting and organizing chaotic thoughts. The build up of learning math can allow someone to mature beyond the point where if they didn’t learn math and thought through everything. It paves a way where we develop certain characteristics and traits that are favorable when assisting someone with difficult tasks in the future.

— Linden, Harvard-Westlake High School, CA

“Math teaches us how to think.”

As explained in the article, math is all around us. Shapes, numbers, statistics, you can find math in almost anything and everything. But is it important for all students to learn? I would say so. Math in elementary school years is very important because it teaches how to do simple calculations that can be used in your everyday life; however middle and high school math isn’t used as directly. Math teaches us how to think. It’s far different from any other subject in school, and truly understanding it can be very rewarding. There are also many career paths that are based around math, such as engineering, statistics, or computer programming, for example. These careers are all crucial for society to function, and many pay well. Without a solid background in math, these careers wouldn’t be possible. While math is a very important subject, I also feel it should become optional at some point, perhaps part way through high school. Upper level math classes often lose their educational value if the student isn’t genuinely interested in learning it. I would encourage all students to learn math, but not require it.

— Grey, Cary High School

“Math is a valuable tool for everyone to learn, but students need better influences to show them why it’s useful.”

Although I loved math as a kid, as I got older it felt more like a chore; all the kids would say “when am I ever going to use this in real life?” and even I, who had loved math, couldn’t figure out how it benefits me either. This was until I started asking my dad for help with my homework. He would go on and on about how he used the math I was learning everyday at work and even started giving me examples of when and where I could use it, which changed my perspective completely. Ultimately, I believe that math is a valuable tool for everyone to learn, but students need better influences to show them why it’s useful and where they can use it outside of class.

— Lilly, Union High School

“At the roots of math, it teaches people how to follow a process.”

I do believe that the math outside of arithmetic, percentages, and fractions are the only math skills truly needed for everyone, with all other concepts being only used for certain careers. However, at the same time, I can’t help but want to still learn it. I believe that at the roots of math, it teaches people how to follow a process. All mathematics is about following a formula and then getting the result of it as accurately as possible. It teaches us that in order to get the results needed, all the work must be put and no shortcuts or guesses can be made. Every equation, number, and symbol in math all interconnect with each other, to create formulas that if followed correctly gives us the answer needed. Everything is essential to getting the results needed, and skipping a step will lead to a wrong answer. Although I do understand why many would see no reason to learn math outside of arithmetic, I also see lessons of work ethics and understanding the process that can be applied to many real world scenarios.

— Takuma, Irvine High School

“I see now that math not only works through logic but also creativity.”

A story that will never finish resembling the universe constantly expanding, this is what math is. I detest math, but I love a never-ending tale of mystery and suspense. If we were to see math as an adventure it would make it more enjoyable. I have often had a closed mindset on math, however, viewing it from this perspective, I find it much more appealing. Teachers urge students to try on math and though it seems daunting and useless, once you get to higher math it is still important. I see now that math not only works through logic but also creativity and as the author emphasizes, it is “a fundamental part of the world’s design.” This view on math will help students succeed and have a more open mindset toward math. How is this never-ending story of suspense going to affect YOU?

— Audrey, Vancouver, WA union high school

“In some word problems, I encounter problems that thoroughly interest me.”

I believe math is a crucial thing to learn as you grow up. Math is easily my favorite subject and I wish more people would share my enthusiasm. As Alec Wilkinson writes, “Mathematics, I now see, is important because it expands the world.” I have always enjoyed math, but until the past year, I have not seen a point in higher-level math. In some of the word problems I deal with in these classes, I encounter problems that thoroughly interest me. The problems that I am working on in math involve the speed of a plane being affected by wind. I know this is not riveting to everyone, but I thoroughly wonder about things like this on a daily basis. The type of math used in the plane problems is similar to what Alec is learning — trigonometry. It may not serve the most use to me now, but I believe a thorough understanding of the world is a big part of living a meaningful life.

— Rehan, Cary High School

“Without high school classes, fewer people get that spark of wonder about math.”

I think that math should be required through high school because math is a use-it-or-lose-it subject. If we stop teaching math in high school and just teach it up to middle school, not only will many people lose their ability to do basic math, but we will have fewer and fewer people get that spark of wonder about math that the author had when taking math for a second time; after having that spark myself, I realized that people start getting the spark once they are in harder math classes. At first, I thought that if math stopped being required in high school, and was offered as an elective, then only people with the spark would continue with it, and everything would be okay. After thinking about the consequences of the idea, I realized that technology requires knowing the seemingly unneeded math. There is already a shortage of IT professionals, and stopping math earlier will only worsen that shortage. Math is tricky. If you try your best to understand it, it isn’t too hard. However, the problem is people had bad math teachers when they were younger, which made them hate math. I have learned that the key to learning math is to have an open mind.

— Andrew, Cary High School

“I think math is a waste of my time because I don’t think I will ever get it.”

In the article Mr. Wilkinson writes, “When I thought about mathematics at all as a boy it was to speculate about why I was being made to learn it, since it seemed plainly obvious that there was no need for it in adult life.” His experience as a boy resonates with my experience now. I feel like math is extremely difficult at some points and it is not my strongest subject. Whenever I am having a hard time with something I get a little upset with myself because I feel like I need to get everything perfect. So therefore, I think it is a waste of my time because I don’t think I will ever get it. At the age of 65 Mr. Wilkinson decided to see if he could learn more/relearn algebra, geometry and calculus and I can’t imagine myself doing this but I can see myself understanding even more how important it is and appreciating it more as I get older. When my dad was young he hated history but, as he got older he learned to appreciate it and see how we can learn from our past mistakes and he now loves learning new things about history.

— Kate, Cary High School

“Not all children need to learn higher level math.”

The higher levels of math like calculus, algebra, and geometry have shaped the world we live in today. Just designing a house relates to math. To be in many professions you have to know algebra, geometry, and calculus such as being an economist, engineer, and architect. Although higher-level math isn’t useful to some people. If you want to do something that pertains to math, you should be able to do so and learn those high levels of math. Many things children learn in math they will never use again, so learning those skills isn’t very helpful … Children went through so much stress and anxiety to learn these skills that they will never see again in their lives. In school, children are using their time learning calculus when they could be learning something more meaningful that can prepare them for life.

— Julyssa, Hanover Horton High School

“Once you understand the basics, more math classes should be a choice.”

I believe that once you get to the point where you have a great understanding of the basics of math, you should be able to take more useful classes that will prepare you for the future better, rather than memorizing equations after equations about weird shapes that will be irrelevant to anything in my future. Yes, all math levels can be useful to others’ futures depending on what career path they choose, but for the ones like me who know they are not planning on encountering extremely high level math equations on the daily, we should not have to take math after a certain point.

— Tessa, Glenbard West High School

“Math could shape the world if it were taught differently.”

If we learned how to balance checkbooks and learn about actual life situations, math could be more helpful. Instead of learning about rare situations that probably won’t come up in our lives, we should be learning how to live on a budget and succeed money-wise. Since it is a required class, learning this would save more people from going into debt and overspending. In schools today, we have to take a specific class that doesn’t sound appealing to the average teenager to learn how to save and spend money responsibly. If it was required in math to learn about that instead of how far Sally has to walk then we would be a more successful nation as a whole. Math could shape the world differently but the way it is taught in schools does not have much impact on everyday life.

— Becca, Bentonville West High School

“To be honest, I don’t see the point in learning all of the complicated math.”

In a realistic point of view, I need to know how to cut a cake or a piece of pie or know how to divide 25,000 dollars into 10 paychecks. On the other hand, I don’t need to know the arc and angle. I need to throw a piece of paper into a trash can. I say this because, in all reality and I know a lot of people say this but it’s true, when are we actually going to need this in our real world lives? Learning complicated math is a waste of precious learning time unless you desire to have a career that requires these studies like becoming an engineer, or a math professor. I think that the fact that schools are still requiring us to learn these types of mathematics is just ignorance from the past generations. I believe that if we have the technology to complete these problems in a few seconds then we should use this technology, but the past generations are salty because they didn’t have these resources so they want to do the same thing they did when they were learning math. So to be honest, I don’t see the point in learning all of the complicated math but I do think it’s necessary to know the basic math.

— Shai, Julia R Masterman, Philadelphia, PA

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The Use of Mathematics in Everyday Life

How Is Mathematics Used in Other Subjects?

Even those suffering from math-related anxieties or phobias cannot escape its everyday presence in their lives. From home to school to work and places in between, math is everywhere. Whether using measurements in a recipe or deciding if half a tank of gas will make the destination, we all use math. It is a good idea, therefore, for teachers and parents of reluctant math learners to use real-world examples to ignite a spark of practical interest.

Some people aren't even out of bed before encountering math. When setting an alarm or hitting snooze, they may quickly need to calculate the new time they will rise. Or they might step on a bathroom scale and decide that they’ll skip those extra calories at lunch. People on medication need to understand different dosages, whether in grams or milliliters. Recipes call for ounces and cups and teaspoons — all measurements, all math. And decorators need to know that the dimensions of their furnishings and rugs will match the area of their rooms.

Travelers often consider their miles per gallon when fueling up for daily trips, but they might need to calculate anew when faced with obstructionist detours and consider the additional cost in miles, time and money. Air travelers need to know departure times and arrival schedules. They also need to know the weight of their luggage, unless they want to risk some hefty baggage surcharges. Once on board, they might enjoy some common aviation-related math such as speed, altitude and flying time.

At School and Work

Students can’t avoid math. Most take it every day. However, even in history and English classes they may need to know a little math. Whether looking at time expanses of decades, centuries or eras or calculating how they’ll bring that B in English to an A, they’ll need some basic math skills. Jobs in business and finance may require sophisticated knowledge of how to read profit and earning statements or how to decipher graph analyses. However, even hourly earners will need to know if their working hours multiplied by their rate of pay accurately reflects their paychecks.

At the Store

Whether buying coffee or a car, basic principles of math are in play. Purchasing decisions require some understanding of budgets and the cost and affordability of items from groceries to houses. Short-term decisions may mean only needing to know cash on hand, but bigger purchases may require knowledge of interest rates and amortization charts. Finding a mortgage may be much different from choosing a place to have lunch, but they both cost money and require math.

Even off-time can be math time. Baseball fans know a lot about statistics, whether they’re considering basic win-loss ratios, batting averages or pitchers' earned run averages. Football fans know about yardage gains and passing stats. And individual athletes, whether runners, bikers, sailors or hikers, often have their own ways of charting their progress, from time to mileage to elevation.

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How to Improve Math Skills

Last Updated: April 15, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Daron Cam and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden . Daron Cam is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of Bay Area Tutors, Inc., a San Francisco Bay Area-based tutoring service that provides tutoring in mathematics, science, and overall academic confidence building. Daron has over eight years of teaching math in classrooms and over nine years of one-on-one tutoring experience. He teaches all levels of math including calculus, pre-algebra, algebra I, geometry, and SAT/ACT math prep. Daron holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a math teaching credential from St. Mary's College. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 28 testimonials and 84% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 412,897 times.

There’s no doubt about it: math is tough. As a result, a lot of kids (and adults!) struggle with math at some point in their lives. By building up your skills and practicing every day, you can make math a little less frustrating and have a higher chance of success. Use these tips and tricks during school, while you’re studying, and when you’re out and about to break down and complete math problems easily.

Play math games.

• DragonBox 5+ which lets you gradually build your algebra skills until you’re able to master more and more advanced equations.
• Prodigy, a game targeted at elementary-school students, that integrates math practice into a role-playing game that allows players to use math to make their way through an appealing fantasy world.
• Polyup, a calculator-based math game for more advanced high school and college students.

Practice math in everyday scenarios.

• Or, if you plan to hike a new trail that’s 7 miles long and it takes you 20 minutes to walk a mile, how long should you plan for your hike to take? (2 hours and 36 minutes).

Use mental math if you can.

• If you’re worried about your mental math skills, you can always double check your answer on your phone or computer.

Joseph Meyer

Develop your mental math skills. Mental math is when you perform mathematical calculations without using calculators, paper, or counting aids. Use your mind, memory, lessons, and discussions with your classmates to refine your math skills and build strong problem-solving strategies.

Review math concepts every day.

• Make note cards. Write out important concepts and formulas on note cards so that you can easily refer to them while doing problems and use them for study guides before exams.
• Study in a quiet place. Distractions, whether aural or visual, will detract both from your ability to pay attention and to retain information.
• Study when you’re alert and rested. Don’t try to force yourself to study late at night or when you’re sleep-deprived.

Show your work, not just your answers.

• Showing your work can also help you check your answers on homework and test problems.
• Don’t solve math problems with a pen! Use a pencil so you can erase and correct mistakes if they happen.

Sketch out word problems to give yourself a visual.

• For example, a problem might say, “If you have 4 pieces of candy split evenly into 2 bags, how many pieces of candy are in each bag?” You could draw 2 squares to represent the bags, then fill in 4 circles split between them to represent the candy.

Practice with example problems.

• Your teacher might also be able to give you some extra example problems if you ask for them.
• Using example problems is a great way to practice for a test.

Look up lessons online.

• PatrickJMT on YouTube, a college math professor
• Khan Academy, a website with video lessons and interactive study guides
• Breaking Math, a podcast for math concepts

Master one concept before moving onto the next.

Review basic concepts before diving into advanced topics. Identifying the gaps in your knowledge helps you avoid difficulties later on. Take an assessment or get your teacher's advice on where you can improve. Practice targeted exercises to build a strong foundation so you can confidently tackle new lessons.

Teach math problem or concept to someone else.

• Have your friend or family member ask you questions, too. Try to answer them as best you can to really practice.

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• Try not to fall behind in your homework or schoolwork. The more you keep up in class, the easier it will be. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ Daron Cam. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 29 May 2020.
• ↑ http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/10785-mastering-math
• ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/article/5-tips-improving-students-success-math
• ↑ https://math.osu.edu/undergrad/non-majors/resources/study-math-college
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=96&v=aIRh_15O2S0&feature=youtu.be
• ↑ https://www.mathgoodies.com/articles/improve_your_grades

About This Article

To improve your math skills, start by taking good notes in class and asking lots of questions to understand the material. Then, schedule time each day to study from your notes and do your homework. When you study, do practice problems to cement your comprehension of the math. In addition to studying, try playing math games online, such as DragonBox 5+ or Prodigy, which will help hone your math skills in a fun way. For ways to incorporate math into your everyday life, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Home / Blog / Math / Math Matters in Everyday Life! How Can Math Skills Be Used in Daily Life?

Math Matters in Everyday Life! How Can Math Skills Be Used in Daily Life?

Math can assist in many aspects and can help with many things that are necessary for our everyday lives. No matter what we do, whether it is cleaning the house, cooking dinner, or mowing the lawn, math is a part of our everyday lives. You use math every day without even realizing it, no matter where you go or what you do. There is constant adherence to fundamental mathematical principles, and you would be astounded to see math in unexpected circumstances. 1

We can define relationships, comprehend patterns, and make estimations using math. It aids us in carrying out a variety of crucial daily tasks. From managing finances and running errands to tracking advancement, math is used everywhere and in everything. It is employed in a broad range of industries, including, but not limited to, those of music, medicine, dance, art, architecture, technology, and sports. 

Here are some everyday activities where math is important:

• Money Management

Math is used in almost all financial transactions; for instance, even if you are only buying stationery, you will need to know addition and subtraction to check your bill and percentages to figure out how much to tip when dining out. When discussing mortgages, loans, investments, and other financial matters, complicated equations involving fractions, interests, etc., may be necessary. 2

How much money do I have to spend today on ice cream? When can I purchase a new toy? Should I put more money aside for a larger toy? How can I give my friend a gift for their birthday? These are illustrative thoughts for a child, but adults also have many more profound ones. Math provides a straightforward solution to this kind of question, which is to create budgets based on clear and concise calculations and basic mathematical ideas.

A series of steps must be followed when cooking or baking anything. These steps include the quantity of food to be prepared, proportions of the various ingredients, the cooking techniques, the appropriate cookware to use, and more. These are based on various mathematical ideas; for instance, it is frequently practiced to use half or double the proportions of ingredients mentioned in a recipe. People use proportions and ratios in this situation to calculate the correct amounts of each ingredient. So, math is necessary for everything you do in the kitchen. 2

Math is used in sports for a variety of purposes, including calculating scores, average points, goals scored, winning scores, leaderboards, developing strategies, and probability calculations. It can aid in your athletic development and help you learn about the best techniques for hitting a ball, making a basket, or running a track. Basic math skills are also useful for tracking progress, keeping score, and many other things.

• Time Management

Time management is currently one of the most challenging tasks that many people must deal with. A person needs to finish several assignments in a short amount of time. Not only the management, but some people can’t even tell what time it is by looking at an analog clock. Only by comprehending the fundamental ideas of math can such issues be resolved. Math teaches us to value time while also understanding how to manage it. 4

You use math when creating any kind of art. You will need to be able to measure, count, and apply basic math to it, whether you’re a sculptor, musician, painter, dancer, architect, or you just enjoy doing any of these. Mathematical ability is a prerequisite for all art forms. 1

How can I put on muscle? How can I reduce body fat? How do I get more fit? How much weight should I lose or gain in order to fall within the recommended BMI range? Most people who are trying to exercise and get fit will have all of these questions. The simple answer is by using math. Yes, math can answer the aforementioned questions using simple mathematical concepts. In addition, you use basic mathematical operations to guide your workout schedules, routines, track progress, etc.

In addition to these, math has a lot of other everyday applications. Since math is the universal language used in all facets of life, it is present in almost everything you know and encounter. So, if you ever wonder when you’ll need to use math outside of the classroom, the answer is that, in actuality, we constantly base hundreds of decisions on math every single day!

If you enjoyed reading this article, you can find more thought-provoking content on BYJU’S FutureSchool Blog .

References:

• What are the Uses of Mathematics in Everyday Life? (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.scientificworldinfo.com/2020/07/the-uses-of-mathematics-in-everyday-life.html 
• Math Matters in Everyday Life – NIU – Math Matters . (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.niu.edu/mathmatters/everyday-life/index.shtml 
• How Math Can Help Your Child Perform Better in Sports . (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://www.byjusfutureschool.com/blog/how-math-can-help-your-child-perform-better-in-sports/
• 4 Steps to Improving Time Management Using Simple Math | Alexander College . (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2022, from https://alexandercollege.ca/blog/4-steps-to-improving-time-management-using-simple-math/ 
• What are Some Applications of Math in the Real World? (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2022, from https://www.byjusfutureschool.com/blog/what-are-some-applications-of-math-in-the-real-world/

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Finding Math in Everyday Family Life

Math is everywhere in daily life, no matter one’s socioeconomic background, culture of origin, or language. The many ways in which caregivers find opportunities to explore everyday math with children at home and in their communities is called family math . Research shows that family math supports the development of key early math skills, which are critical for success in school and life.

Supporting Family Math

To inspire caregivers of young children to engage in family math, the education nonprofit Tandem, Partners in Early Learning  collaborated with DREME to produce the video, Everyday Family Math. In the video, families engage in a variety of fun and simple, yet meaningful, everyday math activities. Using things commonly found in many homes, caregivers talk, ask questions, and play together to build their children’s math skills.

Math in Family Life

Family routines offer many opportunities for young children to explore math. Whether doing chores, playing at home or the park, shopping at the supermarket, reading books together, or waiting at the bus stop, parents and caregivers can bring math into daily conversations and playtime with their children.

For example, in the video, a mother and her young son line up a group of stuffed animals in order according to their size. In another scene, a parent uses words that support learning about space and place while reading aloud from a picture book: “Little bear is next to the book, big bear is to the left of the book.”

The parents in this video show just how easy it is to incorporate math into everyday family activities. As Antonio, the father of a young son, says, “There’s numbers around us … in this whole world, so we just try to incorporate what’s already there into his learning.”

In addition to giving caregivers ideas about how to start or deepen their engagement with family math, the video can also be a springboard to brainstorm additional ways to bring math into everyday family life.

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Claudia Kruzik, Emily McDowell, and  Eric Dearing

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How is mathematics used in your daily life?

The importance of math in daily life dates back to ancient times, when people made lunar calendars, built pyramids, measured the land, and many other examples that prove that the world would only be the way we see it now with the application of math.

There are numerous ways to apply mathematics in daily life , so let’s look at some of them!

• 🐈‍⬛ Time management. Indeed, time is money. People must learn to manage their time daily, putting all meetings, studying, and time for themselves and their friends into the same schedule. We do it by making predictions, making simple calculations in our brains, estimating the probabilities, and measuring the priorities for each task.
• 🐈‍⬛ Setting the budget. Without the proper balance between expenses and income, people won’t be able to make major purchases, plan their lives, and organize their households. For this reason, people make monthly budgets, allocate money into several blocks, and find options to save money. All in all, math helps us avoid excessive spending and thus makes us put money aside.
• 🐈‍⬛ Cooking. Even when making meals, we need to use a certain amount of ingredients to save on the proportions and make the food taste as planned.
• 🐈‍⬛ Exercising and dieting. Almost every person deals with it in their life, and this is where math will come in handy. Scheduling the workouts, counting the number of repetitions while exercising, counting the calories, and weighing the food requires basic math knowledge.
• 🐈‍⬛ Driving. Operating a car or motorcycle is more complex than it seems. Drivers need to estimate the number of kilometers to reach the desired destination or the car’s amount of petrol. Also, when stuck in a traffic jam, the driver will try to estimate whether getting to work on time is possible. 
• 🐈‍⬛ Home decorating also requires basic math skills. For example, people need to know how many rolls of paper they need to cover one wall or how to set up a new space in the apartment. In general, one should have a basic knowledge of dimensions and units to do home decorating properly.
• 🐈‍⬛ Stitching. Tailors or just ordinary people need to estimate the quantity and quality of clothes, choose the color theme, estimate the cost and profit, and make the clothes according to the client’s preferences and personal wishes.
• 🐈‍⬛ Studying. Math is the basis for different sciences, such as physics, economics, history, statistics, and accountancy. People should have basic knowledge of math to understand other subjects properly.

Math in daily life uses importance and facts.

We have already explored what are the uses of math in our daily life , which is why we should understand how developing math skills can benefit us. There are reasons why we should take math seriously and put effort into improving our knowledge in this field.

Improvement of problem-solving skills. The sense of almost every math assignment is to find the way out and provide the solution to the problem. Exploring the world and its functions is an especially important brain exercise. This way, they learn how to get important information and use it to find the way out. With time, the complexity of life problems keeps rising, so the brain adapts to these circumstances.

Logical reasoning and critical thinking . People need to think logically to find a solution to a problem and learn to think from different perspectives to achieve the desired result.

Flexible thinking and creativity. Provided that math makes you think from different perspectives, you improve your investigative skills, resourcefulness, and creativity. In general, it helps you become a multifaceted personality and generate lots of great ideas in your brain to implement in real life.

Career opportunities. The application of math in daily life extends to people’s career paths. It opens new doors for you, makes you a more attractive candidate for employers, and helps you move up the career ladder. Furthermore, it is a well-known fact that most promising and well-paid careers are intertwined with math. These include software engineers, graphic designers, data analysts, data scientists, auditors, civil engineers, and many more. 

Emotional health boost. Studies have shown that the brain parts activated while solving math problems work together with brain parts responsible for emotional regulation. Additionally, successfully finding solutions to problems gives people a sense of achievement, which releases dopamine, a hormone deemed a reward hormone. 

Financial literacy improvement. You can apply maths in daily life by calculating the interest rates, setting the budget and understanding the loans. The You can apply maths in daily life by calculating the interest rates, setting the budget and understanding the loans.skills of measuring profit and loss are crucially important in adulthood.

Sharpening the memory. Studying matches in school requires learning tons of formulas, subtraction, multiplication, and division tables, then remembering the sequence of actions, some tricks, and algorithms. It all significantly improves our memory, which is also very important to prevent memory loss or memory decline problems in adulthood.

Healthy brain function. When we solve math problems and thus improve our math skills, we train our brain s, which prevents cognitive skills decline. Giving our brain this kind of workout goes a long way toward maintaining brain health and proper functioning. 

Perseverance . The last but not least benefit is that math teaches us to be patient on the way to achieving our goals. This applies not only to study goals but also to our daily lives. It develops the “I can do it” mindset, which is halfway to success.

So, how is math applied in your daily life is clear, but your responsibility is how you use it to achieve your goals.

Why do students have trouble with their math homework?

“ How do you use math in daily life ?” has a clear answer, but the picture looks different when it comes to math in school or university. It is not a secret that sometimes students get goosebumps when hearing that they should do their math assignment. This can happen for various reasons:

🐛 Increasing complexity. 

Some students may not keep up with the pace of the class, which makes them weaker and less motivated to study. In some cases, a certain topic may be too difficult to grasp, so the student may need additional time for that.

🐛 Wrong teaching approach.  

Being a teacher by profession doesn’t mean knowing exactly how to teach and finding a tailored approach for every student.

🐛 Fear of failure.

This fear may be so debilitating that the student may be even be even afraid to try.

🐛 Lack of practice.

 Practice makes perfect, but unfortunately this part of studying doesn’t get enough attention. In this case, teachers or parents must provide students with support and encouragement.

🐛 Math anxiety. 

Algorithms and formulas are not easy, so it is no wonder that students are not willing to delve into the specifics of mathematics.

Can I get help with my math homework?

Math in daily life activities also includes homework at your university, college , or school. Mathematics is cited as one of the most important subjects, forming the basis for other sciences. Modern students may feel too overwhelmed with the current study load that math homework may sometimes feel too much to handle.

In reality, nothing is that scary; luckily, there is a great solution to this minor problem. You can order your math homework with the help of Writing Merier. We have a team of professional writers who know how to craft the perfect math homework for you. Our service guarantees each client the highest quality, safety, and anonymity. Additionally, we can help you with any academic assignment, including a case study , thesis, or essay. In the end, you will customize the original assignment that was made according to all requirements and your personal preferences.

So, there is a great abundance of the ways we use math in daily life. This science is indeed an indispensable part of our lives because it is used in many spheres of our lives, namely our studies, jobs, and routine actions. Math is a powerful tool that makes our lives easier and gives our thoughts more rationality and logic. It all emphasizes the importance of developing the skills in this field to make our brain function more productively and efficiently. By the way, if you have trouble with your math homework and don’t have time, you can turn to the experts from Writing Metier , who will provide you with professional assistance and help you improve your academic performance im math. The hightest quality, tailored approach to each client, safety and anonymity are guaranteed!

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Laura Orta is an avid author on Writing Metier's blog. Before embarking on her writing career, she practiced media law in one of the local media. Aside from writing, she works as a private tutor to help students with their academic needs. Laura and her husband share their home near the ocean in northern Portugal with two extraordinary boys and a lifetime collection of books.

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Creative Ways For Dads To Help Their Kids Improve Math Skills

Y ou're not just a dad, you're a vital part of your child's learning journey. Math and science can be challenging for a lot of kids but you've got the power to make it fun and engaging. Don't worry if you're not a math whiz – we've got creative, research-backed strategies that'll help your kid pick up math skills from counting to geometry to finances so that they can be a successful student that you will be proud of.

Remember, it's not about having all the answers, it's about being there, exploring and learning together. Let's dive in and discover how you can boost your child's math skills and confidence.

Key Takeaways

• Dads' involvement in math activities significantly boosts a child's cognitive development.
• Math games can make learning numbers fun and interactive.
• Incorporating math in everyday life through activities like counting steps and measuring ingredients helps reinforce math skills.
• Actively assisting with school assignments reinforces math concepts and lays a strong foundation for learning.

What Dads Need To Know About Math And Their Child's Intellectual Development

As a dad, you've got to understand how crucial your kid's math skills are to their intellectual development. It's not just about numbers; it's about building essential cognitive abilities. From the time they take their first tiny steps, your child has the opportunity to begin to understand basic mathematical, spatial, and causal relationships. This early understanding paves the way for more advanced thinking.

But here's the thing that too many dads forget, your involvement is key. Research indicates that  dads' involvement  in math activities can significantly boost a child's cognitive development. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to dive into the world of numbers, patterns, and problem-solving. Whether it's counting the stairs as you climb together, identifying shapes in everyday objects, or measuring ingredients for a recipe, these experiences offer valuable learning opportunities.

How Dads Can Help Kids Make Math More Understandable

As a parent, you can play a critical role in your child's intellectual development. By introducing them to math games, making math skills a part of their everyday life through basic counting and calculations, and actively engaging in their learning assignments from school, you're not just enhancing their math skills but also making math and science more enjoyable and relatable. Let's delve into the discussion on how you can help your kid to make math more understandable.

Here is a table summarizing these strategies:

StrategiesExamplesIntroduce them to Math GamesBoard games, online games, mobile appsIncorporate Math in Everyday LifeCounting steps, measuring ingredients, calculating timeEngage in School AssignmentsHomework assistance, project involvement, regular communication with teachers

Introduce Them To Math Games

They'll quickly learn to love numbers if you introduce them to fun and interactive math games. Thankfully there are a ton of free math and counting games available these days.

Be strategic in your game selection though. Opt for games that combine fun integration of math concepts, ensuring learning becomes an enjoyable experience. Your little ones will be thrilled to solve problems when they're part of their favorite games.

Now, don't forget the reward system. Kids are motivated by rewards. So, whether it's a star, a sticker, or an extra playtime minute, make sure to recognize their efforts. Make them feel like they belong in this world of numbers and calculations, and you'll see their confidence soar.

Make Math Skills Part Of Your Child's Everyday Life 

You'll be surprised how much they enjoy adding up the grocery bill or calculating the time to their favorite TV show. The concept of "Math Shopping", where you engage them in pricing items and comparing the costs can be fun and educational too. Ask them to predict the total before reaching the checkout counter and give them a reward if they get things right.

Cooking measurements are another great way to incorporate math. A recipe can be a math lesson in disguise. Let them measure ingredients, double a recipe, count the calories in items you prepare for a healthy lunch , or calculate cooking times.

Another practical math idea is to work with your child on telling time using a traditional analog clock. This can be practiced daily, such as calculating how long until dinner or bedtime.

These everyday activities make math skills a part of their life, fostering a sense of belonging and accomplishment that moves mathematics from an obscure concept to a practical skill that they can apply to daily life.

Be An Engaged Parent And Help Them With Learning Assignments From School

It's crucial to be actively involved in your child's education by assisting with school assignments. Your parental involvement reinforces math concepts and lays a strong foundation for learning. A combination of clear homework strategies and consistent support will enable your child to grasp complex math concepts with ease.

Act as a guide, not a solver though! This will help encourage your child to approach problems independently. Reinforce concepts they're struggling with, using real-life examples to illustrate. Make math homework a shared learning experience, opening doors for your child to ask questions and express uncertainties. Show them it's okay not to know everything and that the desire to learn is what you want to see from them.

You're not just their parent, but also a partner in their educational journey. This involvement will foster a sense of belonging and security, making learning a joyful experience for your child.

Don't Ignore Potential Signs Of A Learning Disability

Don't overlook potential signs of a learning disability in your child, as early detection and intervention can significantly improve their  mathematical development . Identifying learning disabilities can be challenging, but if your child is struggling to recall basic math facts, having trouble with precision, or experiencing difficulty making connections in math, they may need additional support.

It's crucial to seek professional help if you notice these signs. Psychologists and educational therapists can provide valuable insights and offer strategies to help your child. Remember, a learning disability doesn't define your child; it's just one aspect of their learning profile.

Supporting learning at home is equally important. Reinforce what they're learning in school and create a safe space for them to make mistakes. Use everyday situations to practice math skills and encourage a growth mindset. Remember, progress may be slow, but it's progress nonetheless.

Feeling like you belong in a 

community of other dads  facing similar challenges can be comforting. Seek out support groups and forums where you can share experiences, tips, and resources. You're not alone in this journey, and together, you can help your child thrive despite their learning disability.