Math can be found everywhere if you simply pause to look for it. If you examine a sunflower or a pinecone, you will see spirals which are nature’s way of showing beautiful math. They form according to the Fibonacci sequence which goes 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21… Every number is built by adding the two numbers prior to it. The same pattern can be seen in nautilus shells, hurricanes and galaxies. Natural spirals create the famous golden ratio (about 1.618) which humans often find intrinsically appealing.
These patterns are often referred to as fractals. Some may describe fractals by way of saying, almost cryptically, as above, so below. For instance, a big tree branch divides into smaller ones which divide further, always forming the same pattern at different sizes. Awareness of these natural patterns allows farmers to plant crops well and architects to design buildings that look good.
Math is Present in All Parts of Our Daily Lives
Both artists and designers have used math for many years to achieve harmony and balance in their works. Leonardo da Vinci used the golden ratio while painting the Mona Lisa to create a reflection of lasting symmetry. The Parthenon’s builders used the golden ratio to decide its height, width and space between columns.
In the present day, designers need mathematical concepts to design websites, make logos and arrange furniture in a room, although more often with the use of a computer than a handheld protractor. Symmetry is also very important. In most animals, left and right sides are symmetrical and look the same when folded in half; this is what bilateral symmetry means.
Music is Full of Mathematical Symmetry
Music depends on math, regardless of whether we notice it. Whenever you sing a higher octave than the original note, you multiply the frequency of a sound wave by a factor of 2. That is why octaves come across as naturally pleasing to us. Scales are formed by using set intervals. A major scale which sounds cheerful, follows a particular pattern of whole and half steps. Time is divided into fractions by rhythm with whole notes, half notes and quarter notes. Musicians mix them to make beats that make you want to dance. As with architectural design, modern music producers depend on software that can change pitch, timing and effects to make their tracks sound better.
Playing Sports and Devising Strategies
Sports performance is enhanced by the use of math. A player shooting a basketball is making use of geometry and physics without even thinking about it. The recommended angle for a long shot is 45 degrees, but players make changes depending on the action in the game. Soccer players direct their passes using spatial geometry to reach their teammates. Coaches use math in many aspects of coaching. For instance, the lineup in baseball is often shaped by on-base percentage and slugging average. In swimming and track, coaches rely on speed calculations and training information to get better results.
Math and Making Smart Financial Decisions
Managing money is basically about math. Making a personal budget means using percentages such as putting 30% of your income toward rent and 20% toward savings. Compound interest shows how math impacts long-term financial growth. Take the typical savings account, for example: if you get 7% interest, your initial investment will double within about 10 years. Learning about this helps you with saving, getting loans and planning for the time when you retire. Comparing unit prices when shopping is a division problem. Being confident with basic math will help you make good financial decisions.
Math Can Power Technology
Modern technology relies on math. Light detection, blur reduction and focusing are handled by algorithms in your smartphone’s camera. Photos can be shrunk using math without losing any quality with image compression. Graph theory in mathematics is used by social media to find out who you might want to connect with or follow. GPS navigation uses math to calculate your location and the fastest route in real time.
Math in Home Improvement
You use geometry when doing home improvement, like figuring out square feet for floors, guessing paint supply and measuring for new furniture. Math appears in the kitchen and the laundry room, as well. Making bread rise to perfection in the oven depends on getting the proportions of flour, water and yeast correct. If you’re cooking for a large group, then the cooking time may have to be adjusted, as heat spreads differently when you cook more food. Doing laundry also means using math, since water temperature, cycle length and amount of detergent play a part. If you know about those ratios, it’s easier to keep things clean and your machines in top condition.
Benefits of Having a Growth Mindset
You can get better at math even if you are not naturally skilled. Researchers have found that effort and practice allow your brain to create new connections. This belief, called a growth mindset, is highly empowering. Here’s how you can nurture this mindset. Try memorizing how to calculate tips without pen and paper when you are out eating. Learn the way interest is charged on your credit card. Highlight the little achievements you have. It is perfectly fine to ask someone for help. If you close knowledge gaps early, math becomes less stressful and more enjoyable.
Managing Math Anxiety
If you’ve ever felt anxious about math, that’s normal for a lot of people. The solution is to move away from trying to get through the material quickly and focus on understanding it. Don’t rush yourself. Try to learn the underlying reason behind a method, instead of just how it is done. Show abstract ideas by using pictures and real-world examples. Calculate a bill, track sports performance, or measure shelf arrangements to apply math. Such situations are good for gaining back your confidence.
Contact OMC To Improve Your Child’s Math Skills Today!
From sunflower petals to musical beats, math is always working in the background of our lives. Mathematical literacy helps children to recognize patterns at home, at school and outdoors. Math is about more than just memorizing equations and standardized testing. Total mastery of math means learning how math helps with real-world problems. As the child’s interest in math grows, it will make him or her more confident in their daily choices.
Being mathematically literate makes a difference in the quality of our life, gives us confidence and helps us succeed. By tying the outcomes to positive feelings through math, you can significantly alter the course of your child’s life. The Online Math Center is here to help your child have these “a-ha” moments and make them stick.
Contact OMC today for a free consultation and more information on how to get started.
