Mathematics is integral to modern society, underpinning technological innovations, scientific research, economic strategies, and daily decision-making processes. Its applications range from simple tasks like budgeting to complex fields such as cryptography and epidemiology, highlighting its universal relevance.
🔢 Significance of mathematics in the modern world
- Facilitates everyday decision-making at home and work
- Supports technological evolution and transformation
- Promotes scientific exploration and breakthroughs
- Helps society to make sense of economics and finance
- Encourages mathematics education across different fields
The Prevalent Role of Mathematics in Daily Life
With an abundance of applications of the subject in the world around us, it’s only natural that the perception of the subject in today’s day and age has seen a significant change, where it is an area that keeps expanding and evolving, welcoming new concepts and methods.
⏰ Mathematics in Everyday Activities
In the past, mathematics was often considered abstract and disconnected from use. Fast forward to today, the viewpoint has changed to understand that maths is deeply connected to everyday experiences and solving real-world problems at workplaces, as seen in the following examples:
📌Budgeting and financial planning
📌Time management and scheduling
For example: 1 hour for breakfast, 2 hours for revision.
📌Cooking
and measurements
For example: if 2 people require 400g of flour, 4 people need 400g x 2= 800g of flour.
🤔 Mathematics in Decision-Making
Proficiency in maths helps us make better, more informed decisions, ultimately enhancing our productivity and efficiency. As such, this skill becomes a valuable asset in the workplace across various roles and responsibilities.
Calculation of risk assessments in the context of the insurance sector for illness and accidents when explaining premiums to clients.
Using various statistical principles to interpret data from a marketing survey. For instance, a comparison between fast-food chain sales of chicken burgers in London.
Mathematics as the Backbone of Technological Innovation
Maths is a field of study that drives progress across some of the most innovative industries out there and is also used to solve some of the biggest issues in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of the public eye and go away, but there will always be science, engineering, and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics.
Katherine Johnson
👩💻 Mathematics in Computer Science
This subject is very much the focal point when it comes to computer science and programming domains, where basic arithmetic operations like addition and multiplication lay the groundwork for computer functions. These go on to make sense of some fundamental concepts such as:
- Algorithm development
- Data structures
- Cryptography and cybersecurity
An algorithm is essentially a simple set of instructions to solve a problem. In computer science, an algorithm enables information to be put together in a structured manner to produce a desired result.
For instance, a Global Positioning System (GPS) with excellent algorithm development will lead Internet users to find the best travelling route based on different algorithms to check the traffic situation of the available travelling route options before deciding on the best route suggestion.
🚀 Mathematics in Engineering
Don't be surprised to learn how different engineers play active roles to fuel technology innovation through their mathematical knowledge and application, especially through daily calculations of maths operations and equations.
📌Civil
engineers
- Maths concept: Structural analysis
- Purpose: To evaluate whether a construction project design, (such as bridges and buildings) is safe to withstand conditions like wind and earthquakes
📌Electrical engineers
- Maths concept: Algebraic equation, like Ohm's law V = IR
- Purpose: Develop and design electrical circuits for the efficient wiring of an electronic device.
📌Mechanical engineers
- Maths concept: Differential equations
- Purpose: Predict various variables of things that are in motion, such as engines or machines, to have optimum speed and reliability.
Mathematics in Scientific Research and Discovery
It is only through understanding the different topics that make up the subject of mathematics that we begin to recognise its presence in the world around us. Hence, mathematics is also central to scientific research breakthroughs, helping us make sense of our natural surroundings and contributing to improvements in the quality of life and health.
🌍 Mathematical Modelling in Natural Sciences
Of course, we cannot miss out on the wide usage of mathematics to figure out the "mysteries" and solve real-life problems in the natural sciences. Mathematical models allow scientists to simulate real-world phenomena, such as climate change or the spread of disease. These models can help us understand the impact of different variables and predict how the system will behave in the future.
📌In the case of Biology, maths helps us to understand how life evolves with time through the concept of population dynamics.
📌 When it comes to Chemistry, maths enables us to study the relationship between how different items mix and change through the concept of reaction rates.
📌Finally, for Physics, maths guides us to find the reason why and how things move through the concept of motion and forces. Isn't that amazing?
💉 Mathematics in Medicine
The use of mathematics in medicine is pivotal, especially in terms of different branches like epidemiology, radiology, epidemiology, and medical genetics.
📌Radiology
- Medical imaging can be used to determine any fractures with an X-ray, developed using mathematics.
- MRI scans exist thanks to calculus and computer science concepts like machine learning.
📌Epidemiology and Genetic Research
- When it comes to predicting the course of a pandemic like COVID-19, the data generated from mathematical models helps public health officials and policymakers to support disease control and health policy.
- Probability concepts are used to calculate the likelihood of genetic traits in offspring: Newborn Genetic Screening
Economic and Financial Applications of Mathematics
Given that businesses focus on maximising profits and satisfying their shareholders, it’s no wonder that mathematics is used to enhance efficiency and squeeze out a competitive advantage over competitors. If you are interested in pursuing an economics or finance-related degree one day, you should certainly have a strong interest and competence in mathematics.
📈 Mathematics in Economics
In fact, it is used across various areas in the business world, helping companies make informed decisions through the form of many business strategies.
Using supply and demand calculations before launching a new product
Using statistical modelling to predict unemployment
Using linear programming to achieve the best optimisation
💸 Mathematics in Finance
Similarly, mathematics is a versatile tool that helps financial professionals to help their organisations or clients experience the best profit potential with minimal risks.
Calculating the maximum amount of money that will be potentially lost if something bad happens through the formula of Value at Risk (VaR).
Using probability and statistics to help clients decide where to put their assets that will generate the most income with the least risk.
A combination of the knowledge of risk analysis and investment strategies to help both the insurance companies and clients plan for expected timeline events like retirement, or unexpected events like car accidents or sudden health emergencies.
Meanwhile, don't forget to explore these intriguing maths puzzles to instil an interest in problem-solving and also develop an eye for pattern recognition in a fun manner!
The Importance of Mathematics Education
Throughout your education, you're sure to come across an article about mathematics in the modern world. The more you begin to see the application of mathematics in the modern world, the more you’ll begin to see the importance of the subject and how crucial it is for students to pursue qualifications in the subject from GCSE, A-Levels, right up to tertiary education.
This can be attributed to both the subject being viewed in a more positive light among learners, the increase in the application of its learnings and the career prospects that come with attaining a maths degree.
🧠 Developing Critical Thinking Skills
Many of our inherited human qualities are nurtured and developed by maths theories, like our spatial awareness, our power to reason (which involves calculated thinking) and even our creativity and communication. From there, you and I will get to enhance our logical reasoning, analytical abilities, and problem-solving techniques. Strong critical thinking skills will not only help you to enjoy and excel in this subject, but they could also come in handy when you're playing a game like poker, too!
If you're looking for an experienced and qualified maths tutor near you to take your math skills to the next level, head to Superprof UK to start browsing a wide selection of maths tutors' profiles. Regardless of your learning level and location, you can find the perfect tutor who matches your preferences in terms of teaching mode, years of experience, qualifications, and hourly rates.
Whether you are looking for personalised support for your maths homework or an intense exam revision plan to ace your A-Levels, you'll be in good hands.
🎓 Mathematics Education & Career Opportunities
By improving your math skills, not only will you navigate your daily life better, but you will also be setting your sights on some exciting career prospects. When you start studying maths at school, you’ll likely hear a great deal about the relevance of working in STEM fields, especially in this modern-day world.
Source: Department for Science and Innovation and Technology's UK Science and Technology Framework
This figure 1 is expected to continue to grow in 2030, with more participation and specialisation of STEM employment across different genders and age groups in the country. Here's a table that details some examples of STEM-related careers and their respective academic qualification requirements in the UK:
| Careers | Qualifications |
|---|---|
| Data Scientist | BSc/MSc in Data Science |
| Civil Engineer | BEng / MEng Civil Engineering |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | BSc Cybersecurity / Computer Science |
| Statistician | MSc Statistics / Mathematics |
| Robotics Engineer | MSc Robotics / Mechatronics |
| Software Developer | Bsc in Software Engineering/Computer Science |
| Quantitative Analyst | Bsc in Economics, Finance or Statistics |
From analysing data to driving progress, the subject serves as a driver behind many of the everyday innovations we encounter. This is evident from the focus placed on maths across most science courses here in the UK and beyond. Maths allows us to make calculated decisions, create, construct and progress.
Now that you’ve explored the significance of mathematics in our daily lives, we hope this article inspires you to develop a lifelong passion for the subject and apply it meaningfully in various aspects of life.
References
- Supply of skills for jobs in Science and Technology, calendar year 2023. GOV.UK. (n.d.). https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/supply-of-skills-for-jobs-in-science-and-technology/2023
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i think the article is true, mathematics is used in every sectors in life. the one of mathemtics topics is algebra.If we investigate algebra in daily life, we can find that algebra has many uses in there. In daily life, we have to do a transaction of payment when we buy something. When we doing a transaction of payment, actually we using algebra to solve the transaction. It seems like when we buy three egg and the prices of one egg is two thousand rupiahs. So we can uses a symbol of x as the prices of egg and we can write 3x as an algebra equation. It can make our transaction being easy when we should buy many things in the same times. For a students, algebra being important too. When they should solve a mathematics problem. It seems like when they get a question about an equation of x and y, and they should find the value from one of the symbol and the value of another symbol are known. So they should use an algebra to solve the question. In conclusion, we can know that algebra has many uses in daily life, so i think algebra is important to be the one of mathematics topi that gives to student.
Facts
Math is very important especially in today’s world. I read a blog at Excel Mathematics and they were quite right in pointing out that everything is and will be computerized and computer only understand numbers.
math help us understand the world and we use the world to understand math, explain it?
Mathematics claims as the Queen of all sciences. Right from the stone age to till date mathematical applications are available in all walks of life including medicine and engineering. Any experiment can be properly well defined only after mathematical verification in the form of an equation. One can also find application of mathematics in all God’s creations including cell formation and plant identification. Even now we are unable to create robotic humans equivalent to that of the humans created by Almighty. 📖
This is not the question I asked for
We are sorry to hear that. If you’d like to clarify your question, we’d be happy to help with a more accurate answer on the importance of mathematics or any other topic you had in mind. Thanks for reaching out! 📐✨
Correct Observations and nicely presented
Thank you for the kind words! 😊 We’re glad you enjoyed the insights on the importance of mathematics. It’s always rewarding to hear that our article resonated with you. 📐🌍