It annoys me when people say “there goes another day when I’ve never used algebra” or “I don’t use maths in real life” because these people clearly haven’t been taught any real number sense or mathematical awareness. It shows that these people were taught maths as some abstract thing one does with numbers and letters.
I use GCSE level maths every single day, (and not just because I’m a GCSE level maths teacher!). I use simultaneous equations to work out how many days I need to take the train for my season ticket to be worth while. I use ratios to do recipes. I use basic linear equations for working stuff out with my home brewing beer and wine.
I use percentages when I’m shopping.
I use area when I’m gardening.
I use volume when I’m cooking.
I used standard deviation and statistical analysis when I’m looking at election results.
I cancel, simplify and approximating fractions to know how far through a book I am from the page number.
I use rounding and estimation when I’m trying to work out how efficiently my car is running.
I don’t believe that anybody on this planet goes a single day where they COULDNT have used algebra to make their life easier or do something better. The fact that so many people don’t shows that they’re not taught maths as a relevant subject, they’re not taught to understand WHAT they’re actually doing when they solve an equation, they’re just told “this is how you do this, remember and repeat”. People don’t know that they can actually use the skills they learnt at school, so they don’t.
And that’s really sad.
This is too real. Mathematics is incredibly useful when it comes to thinking critically about and solving the problems of everyday life. Unfortunately, a lot of primary and secondary math education seems to focus on rote memorization, discourage individual exploration, and ignore neat and potent applications. This – alongside an archetype that attributes mathematical excellence (or even understanding) to genius instead of practice and hard work – results in rampant, careless innumeracy. Because math is so relevant to the “real world,” that innumeracy continues to have real consequences when individuals (especially those who are already disenfranchised, such as people of color) and communities try to solve whatever problems face them. You might say that innumeracy is…~problematic~ ;)
You would never hear a boast to the tune of “I never use language in real life” – partly because that’s a contradiction, and partly bragging about illiteracy is taboo in a world where literacy rates are at historic highs. Admittedly, some of the reason for the different standard is that language is so recognizably useful. I mean, I’m using it right now! But mathematics is far more subtle – its uses make themselves known in how we deal with abstract concepts and logic, in how we weigh quantities in making decisions, in how we prioritize, in how we engineer structures to make our lives a little easier, and in how we approach other obstacles that pervade the reality around us.
All that said, I think to frame the importance of mathematics in the language of relevance is to impose an unfair double standard – one that makes our case for mathematics significantly weaker than contemporary arguments for other subjects.
We don’t study art because it is immediately useful – we study it because it helps us understand ourselves and each other, preserves our memory, or inspires us to be kinder to one another and keep going. Similarly, we don’t study literature and composition in order to turn around and emulate the great writers, poets, and playwrights of the past – but (perhaps) to become intimate with other souls and know the value of sharing and learning from experiences.
In the same vein, we don’t explore the ocean floor or protect endangered species or look out into the vast depths of space because those pursuits have some tangible benefit to our lives (or some financial enterprise) – but because wonder and imagination are the bread of life. We do such things because they push us higher, and because in some immeasurable way, they make us better and our lives more meaningful. Consider humanity in Star Trek – while we have certainly changed by the 23rd century, and our values have evolved as well, our exploratory nature is still recognizably present.
We study all these things because they endow our lives with purpose. Mathematics is no different – we study mathematics because it is meaningful – and I don’t think that’s something at all commensurate with “relevance.”
To sum up, I think a successful case for mathematics will eventually have to count math among those “ends of that life which meat nourishes.” The usefulness of mathematics is enough for some, but for others it is not enough. If we hope to counter the culture of indifferent innumeracy the OP mentions, we will need to be multilateral, and emphasize that mathematics is both relevant and meaningful. [CJH]
this is one of the best posts i’ve read on this website
I would like to think you’re talking about both parts, not just the fantastic response from mathematica and say thank you!
(I only reblogged your post to Mathematica because you said something really important!)
