MATHEMATICS/

NUMERACY

Moments in Mathematics

Junior School

Our Year 8 students are just finishing their unit on ratios and scale. During the unit they looked at the relationship between ratios and fractions, and applied their knowledge to some simple real-life situations. There was a class challenge between 8I and 8L, in which students needed to use their knowledge of ratios to calculate the maximum number of ANZAC biscuits they could make for $100. Another activity involved 8L calculating the dimensions of the school hockey pitch, by creating large triangles outside of the fences, and using their knowledge of scale and similar triangles to complete their calculations (see images). Some of the responses were surprisingly accurate!

Senior School

Our Year 12 Mathematical Methods students have started the major assessment for Unit 3. The SAC runs over four sessions, and covers all material studied so far including graphing, algebra and calculus. While students are permitted to use reference material and their calculators to complete the task, the context is completely unfamiliar to them. In the past, students have been asked to use their mathematical skills to analyse the construction of a boat, design and plan a garden or construct a model railway. Such tasks are designed to test a deep understanding of how their skills can be applied to real-life situations.

Family Fun

How did you go with last edition’s brain teasers? The answers were “$105” and “Friday”. To tackle this week’s challenges before the answers are revealed in the next edition, you will need a mix of mathematics and some fun out-of-the-box thinking…

- Jeff has $28.75. He purchased three cookies that cost $1.50 each, five newspapers that each cost $0.50, five flowers for $1.25 each, and used the remainder of the cash on a pair of sunglasses. How much were the sunglasses?

- Among the numerical numbers 1-10, what number is most likely to be the largest?