NZ+Math's+Week

[[image:header_update.jpg width="933" height="232"]]Maths in our everyday lives
Maths is all around us. Most of us use several mathematical processes even before we arrive at school or work in the morning. Studying mathematics exercises our brains so we can better perform our daily tasks – honing the computational, measurement, and problem-solving skills that are essential for most of us to get through an average day. Mathematical processes are also essential in the workplace – whether it is the ability to estimate and adhere to budgets, programme navigation paths, design an America’s Cup-winning yacht, prescribe the right dosage of antibiotic, or thousands of other applications. You never know when you will be called upon to use your mathematical knowledge – so make the most of your learning to prepare yourselves for the future. Here are a number of examples of how we use maths every day. They are separated into the different strands.
 * Using numbers and algebra**
 * Getting on the right bus or train by reading the route number on the front
 * Reading street numbers to get to a friend’s house
 * Giving change to a customer
 * Splitting the cost of a meal among your friends
 * Calculating how many text messages or calls you can make on your prepay cellphone
 * Buying something online in a different currency and working out the cost in NZ dollars
 * Budgeting – working out the best value for money (e.g. buying in bulk or buying smaller amounts).
 * Using measurement**
 * Buying new shoes and clothes to fit
 * Measuring ingredients in cooking using metric spoons, cups, and scales
 * Working out how long you have to get ready and get to school from the time you wake up
 * Figuring out the fastest route to school taking distance and time factors (e.g. waiting at intersections, traffic volume) into account
 * Working out the fastest queue at the supermarket
 * Buying the right amount of fabric to make a ball dress
 * Marking out a rugby field.
 * Using geometry**
 * Slicing a cake into even segments
 * Lining up a kick for goal or the arc of a netball for a shot at goal
 * Folding origami models
 * Weaving, or using patterns in artwork
 * Putting on makeup
 * Tying a tie
 * Arranging furniture in your room.
 * Using statistics (particularly probability)**
 * Playing board games with a dice
 * Dressing according to the weather report or what it looks like outside
 * Choosing a mufti day outfit knowing what others are likely to wear
 * Leaving earlier for the bus because it often comes sooner than the timetable indicates
 * Working out your chances of winning before entering a raffle
 * Participating in a census.

__Census AT School__


__** Problem of the Week

Visit the BBC **__ ===This website from the BBC features interactive activities designed to develop and maintain mathematical knowledge and skills. It includes number, algebra, geometry, and statistics activities. You can help builder Ted to order numbers, practise substitution with postman Phil, compare the weights of animals, work out the probability of catching a red fish, and complete many other activities.=== = =

__Questacon__
This website contains a selection of puzzles created by the Australian Questacon Maths Centre. Students can attempt the interactive mathematics problems on the website or complete a remainder of the puzzles offline. Hints and solutions are provided.

__Maths Week 2009 __