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Unit 1: Math in Everyday Life

From KNILT

☆Introduction

Have you ever caught yourself asking "when am I ever going to use this math in real life?" If so you are not alone- and this unit is for you. Whether you're calculating how much money you can spend this weekend, figuring out the best deal on shoes, or planning your future paycheck, math is quietly working behind the scenes in your everyday decisions.

This unit is all about uncovering the ways math shows up in your day-to-day life, especially when it comes to things like shopping, budgeting, and making smart financial choices.

🎯Learning Targets

After this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Understand how math is involved in everyday decisions.
  2. Be able to identify how math can be used to make informed consumer choices.
  3. Develop a general understanding of budgeting concepts and their importance.
  4. Start to apply basic math skills to real world scenarios, such as shopping and budgeting.

🧠Reflect

Before we start, take a moment to reflect:

  • When was the last time you used math outside of school?
  • Even if you think you haven't, I bet you have!!
  • What are some everyday things you wish you better understood- like saving money, comparing prices, or managing spending?
  • Share your thoughts in our shared Padlet here: Click here (https://padlet.com/cyasses/discussion-topic-goes-here-arhpx1bohqe4cyu5/wish/KxJv agzgyj6LWAg0)

👀Watch

Math is all around you, whether you consciously notice it or not. Watch the video above to recognize some ways that you may be using mathematics, or may see mathematics in your everyday life.

https://youtu.be/cZbz0MbM0Do

📖Read

8 Ways We Use Math in Everyday Life (https://www.mathematicshub.edu.au/families/for-parents-and-carers/why-mat hs/8-ways-we-use-maths-in-everyday-life/)

Read the article above to read some more ways that we use math in everyday life.

This is to get you to think more about how math connects to your life and how it impacts our daily life. Think about how you personally use it, how you see it around you, how you see other people use it. How does it connect to what you've learned it school, or maybe about what you're learning right now in school.

✏Scenario: Back to School

You’ve been given $150 to buy everything you need for back-to-school, including clothes, supplies, and maybe a couple of fun items. Your job is to create a shopping list, find prices, and make sure you stay within budget.


Activity Steps:

  1. Create Your List: Decide on at least 3 categories (e.g., clothing, school supplies, and one "fun" item like headphones or a water bottle).
  2. Research Prices: Use online shopping sites to find prices for each item.
  3. Stick to Your Budget: Total their purchases and ensure the final cost is $150 or less. If you go over, you must revise their list.
  4. Reflection Questions:
    1. Did you have to give up anything to stay in budget? If so, what?  Did you prioritize wants or needs? Why?
    2. How could this help you in real life?

Discuss:

Discuss your back-to-school budget and list on the padlet here (https://padlet.com/cyasses/1-what-did-you-add-to-your-back-to-school-list-2-di d-youeas-jaocwgrnqvya9pub)

💡Extended Resources

eHow Education. (2010, September 28). Math Basics: How to Use Math in Everyday Life. YouTube. https://youtu.be/cZbz0MbM0Do

8 ways we use maths in everyday life. Mathematics Hub. (n.d.). https://www.mathematicshub.edu.au/families/for-parents-and-carers/why- maths/8-ways-we-use-maths-in-everyday-life/

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