Quick, answer the question. What subject do you dread the most?

History. No. Geography. No. Err…. Mathematics?! A big frowning YES.

Well, worry not. There are many, including us, in the same boat. A recent survey shows 82% of students in Classes 7 to 10 are super scared of Maths and have made it into a ‘proverbial’ bogeyman of sorts.1

Yes, we agree the nightmares before a Mathematics exam paper are certainly not funny!

BUT do you remember a time - back in time - when you were confident and found it easy-peasy to solve everything Mathematics? Basic math concepts like Numbers, Multiplication, Integers and Algebraic equations seemed like a foreign but fun language you could play around with…

This narrative might have changed for most (like you) with complex topics like Calculus and Trigonometry entering their academic life stories.

You may have tripped over the alien terminology of trigonometry. Or being lazy at practicing problems for Calculus. Solving mathematics requiring not only straight-cut formula application but also recognition of patterns and varied applications - can be a bit of a stretch.

So, the question remains. How do you crack the toughened Mathematics and make your exam preparation foolproof?

We pondered over this until Eureka! We thought - instead of dealing with Mathematics as a stand-along topic, why not apply Math wherever we are?

Our Solution.

Try out these Mathematics Applications in your everyday life and let us know if they stir your interest further in the subject. Take our word for it. They will.

Application 1: Know The Height of Everything Around You

Image Credits: Calculate the height of a building | Railwayscenics

We always gape in awe and wonder at tall buildings and skyscrapers. But if someone asked you to measure their height, that shouldn’t be a tall order.

Here’s the trick. Thank Trigonometry!

Let’s say a building is 20 feet away from you. Your height is a mere 5 feet! When you look at the building top, note the angle your line of sight does with the horizontal. Let’s say it is 30 degrees. The building’s angle to the horizontal is 90 degrees. Doesn’t it make a beautiful right-angled triangle?

NOTE: Wherever you see a right-angled triangle, use trigonometry.

We can say:

Tan 30 = Opposite side / Adjacent side

The boy’s height = 5 feet

Building’s height = AC + 5

Distance between the Building and the Boy = 20 feet

Angle of Inclination = θ = 30 degrees

Hence Tan θ = AC/ BC

Now Tan 30 = AC/ 20

AC = 20 Tan 30, which is = 20 x 0.5574

Thus AC = 11. 548 ft.

Ultimately, the height of the building will be 11.548 + 5 = 16. 548 ft.

Another example.

Application 2: Ordering Out Food, Without Missing Anyone

So, you have organized a night out with your best bunch.

Three of them. You’re the fourth! You all love cheesy pizzas.

Now, each of your friends eats 4 slices. One pizza has eight slices. How many pizzas would you buy?

When you undertake daily grocery shopping or plan a party, mathematical calculations like the above are bound to enter with an RSVP. Instead of bending your fingers and counting manually (since this could have been a bigger house party), start using Algebra instead to your advantage!

Here is the solution:

[1 (You) + 3 (Friends)] x 4 (number of slices each one will have) = 8X (8 is number of slices in a pizza)

[4] x 4 = 8X

16 = 8X

16/8 = 8X/8

2 = X

You will need 2 pizzas for this party.

For another get-together, the number may differ. But, the ordering out calculations just became easy - all thanks to Algebra.

Summing Up

If you look around you, from a mathematical lens, you’ll see all sorts of equations and calculations popping out of everyday life situations. Don’t ignore them! You could make spend analysis and future projections out of your piggy bank, fly a paper plane out of your window and calculate its varying trajectories and so much more. Isn’t this a more exciting way of learning mathematics than fearing it?

What do you think? Let us know how you’re applying mathematics in your daily life. We are all ears!

References:

82% students of Classes 7 to 10 are fearful of Math: Survey - India Today