Joe’s Jotter: ‘Where will I need this again? - How Maths is used in everyday life!

‘Where will I need this Maths again?’ is one of the most common questions I have fielded over the years during Maths class from students. I often laugh to myself when I hear of a student who wasn’t a fan of Maths in Secondary School, studying a Maths module as part of their 3^rd level course. This actually happens way more than expected. Have a look below at the linkages between the topics students’ study in school and where it relates to their everyday working life.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in relation to links,  and as we know 80% of an iceberg is under the surface. *Topics 9-13 are not studied as part of the current Leaving Certificate Maths syllabus but would form modules of a third level Maths degree.

1. Algebra.

   - Applications: Used in financial planning, engineering, and physics to solve equations and model relationships.

   - Examples: Calculating interest rates on savings or loans. For instance, the formula for compound interest uses algebra to determine the final amount of money.

2. Linear Algebra.

   - Applications: Found in computer science, machine learning, and graphics for handling multi-dimensional data.

   - Examples: In computer graphics, linear algebra is crucial in transforming and projecting 3D images onto 2D screens by manipulating matrices.

3. Statistics and Probability.

   - Applications: Found in data science, risk assessment, quality control, and healthcare to analyse trends and make predictions.

   - Examples: In medicine, statistics predict disease spread, such as through the analysis of COVID-19 infection rates to inform healthcare responses and interventions.

4. Geometry.

   - Applications: Used in architecture, art, and computer graphics for designing structures and understanding spatial relationships.

   - Examples: Architects use geometry for calculating the area of a building site or designing structural elements. Understanding shapes and angles is key in creating stable and aesthetic buildings.

5. Trigonometry.

   - Applications: Essential in fields like engineering, physics, and astronomy, particularly in understanding wave behaviour and spatial analysis.

   - Examples: In aviation, trigonometry helps pilots navigate by calculating distances and angles between flight paths and land. It is used in GPS technology to find locations based on satellite data.

6. Differential Equations.

   - Applications: Models dynamic systems in physics, biology, and finance, where the change of a quantity depends on the quantity itself.

   - Examples: In ecology, differential equations model predator-prey relationships by calculating how populations of species grow and decline over time.

7. Number Theory.

   - Applications: Important in cryptography and cybersecurity, which depend on properties of integers and prime numbers.

   - Examples: Encryption algorithms, like RSA, rely on number theory for secure data transmission by encoding information in ways that only authorized users can decode.

8. Calculus.

   - Applications: Central to fields like physics, engineering, biology, and economics for modelling change over time.

   - Examples: Calculus helps engineers model fluid flow in pipes by calculating changes in speed or volume over time. The derivative represents rates of change and slopes, while the integral helps calculate accumulated quantities and finds areas.

9. Combinatorics.*

   - Applications: Applied in computer science, logistics, and biology for counting and arrangement possibilities.

   - Examples: In logistics, combinatorics helps determine the most efficient routes for delivery trucks by calculating possible routes and selecting the shortest or least congested ways.

10. Graph Theory.*

   - Applications: Used in networking, urban planning, and social sciences to analyse relationships and connections.

   - Examples: In social media, graph theory helps analyse and visualize relationships between users, allowing for friend recommendations or the study of influence networks.

11. Set Theory.*

   - Applications: Forms the basis of database theory, logic, and programming.

   - Examples: In database systems, set theory helps with querying by organizing data into sets and subsets, simplifying retrieval of specific information based on criteria.

12. Optimization.*

   - Applications: Widely used in business, engineering, and logistics for maximizing or minimizing resource use.

   - Examples: In supply chain management, optimization techniques help companies minimise costs by finding the most efficient routes and schedules for product delivery.

13. Game Theory.*

   - Applications: Found in economics, political science, and evolutionary biology to study strategic interactions.

   - Examples: In economics, game theory helps model competitive strategies between businesses, such as pricing strategies, to determine the best outcomes based on competitor actions.

These examples showcase the diversity of mathematics and how each area has practical applications in daily life and our various professional fields.

More details about Joe’s Maths Tuition Classes for 3^rd, 5^th & 6^th Year (Leaving Certificate Students) and his Award Winning ACE Maths Solution Books for all students can be found via the links below:

ACE Maths Tuition Classes: acesolutionbooks.com/ace-maths-tuition

ACE Maths Solution Books: acesolutionbooks.com/buy-my-books