Year 10 Maths

Staying alive with maths and physics

by Helen Kerr-Lawley, Maths teacher

Who would have thought that algebra, in the form of linear and quadratic (ones involving a variable that is squared) relationships, would have practical everyday applications?

Having studied these different types of mathematical equations over the last eight weeks, Year 10 students are about to find out just how relevant maths is in their next task, ‘Staying Alive’.

Focusing on our Statement of Inquiry for the current unit - People can use mathematical relationships and patterns generated from real-world data to improve their interactions with the environment - students will be using their algebraic knowledge to manipulate equations involving distances, velocity and acceleration and then to apply these formulas to calculate safe braking distances for cars. They will determine reaction times to discover how quickly drivers can apply the brakes at different speeds and also how long it takes the car to then come to a stop. When combined, the reaction distance plus the braking distance give the total stopping distance.

The timing of this task is particularly apt since, not only was last week the National Road Safety Week, but the Year 10 students begin their Physics in Motion unit this week and on 28 May all Year 10 students will be attending the ‘Road Safety’ presentation by VicRoads at school. Hopefully, with all this rich knowledge and understanding, the students will realise how careful they need to be on the roads as many of them work towards getting their Learner’s Permit in the near future.