Math in the Real World - Why You Need to Do Well

Standing in front of bags of shredded cheese that are on sale at a rate of 3 bags for $5.00 I noticed that a larger bag of the same brand of cheese was being sold at its regular price of $1.50. That's approximately 17 cents cheaper than the "on sale" bags. In today's tough economic times, you have probably found yourself comparing prices a little more closely at the grocery store, and you may be shocked at some of the "deals" that aren't really deals. Without a firm grasp of basic math skills, a person could find herself falling prey to one of today's many marketing schemes. Your child will use the skills she develops in math class to accomplish many tasks throughout her everyday life, which is why you need to ensure that she does well in her math studies.

Spotting Real Deals

From tricky signs in the supermarket to "buy one get one free" sales, marketers are out for consumers' money. Those who have strong math skills are able to navigate the plethora of "deals" in the marketplace. Marketers count on consumers seeing the word "free" and thinking that they are automatically getting something free. The truth is, buy one get one free really just means that the items are 50% off -- a good deal, unless you can find something similar for 60-75% off the original price. Some marketers count on the majority of the American public not using their math skills. Understanding fractions and percentages is crucial to becoming a savvy shopper and keeping more of your hard-earned money. This is why it is so important for your child to do well in math class. She'll be better equipped to manage her money, a skill that will lead to a higher standard of living.

Math in Everyday Life

Shopping is not the only place your child will use math, although it is probably the most obvious example. For instance, if she wants to paint a room, she won't know how many gallons of paint to buy unless she grasps the geometric concepts that allow her to figure out the area of her wall space. Sure, she could guess, but she'll end up buying too much or too little and wasting her money, gas, and time trying to correct her errors. Another situation where math skills are used is with cooking. Your child will find that most recipes are too large for a small family, so she'll have to cut them in half or even in quarters. This task is impossible without an understanding of division and fractions.

The Current Mortgage Crisis

If the American people had a better grasp of mathematics, we may not be in the crisis we're in today. For a number of years, banks have been lending people more than they could afford. Those who understand how to look at their monthly deposits and expenditures are able to better decide on how much money they should take out. Your child shouldn't ever rely on other people to tell her what she can and can't afford. Instead, she'll gain independence by being able to figure out for herself just how much money she can afford to pay for her home. Math skills will be crucial when she is looking at her budget and deciding just how much of a house she can afford -- or if she's in a position to afford one at all.

Stores and lenders are not going to be looking out for your child's best interests. They are looking to make money. It is your job, as a parent, to equip your child to look out for her own best interests. Math skills are used every single day. Whether she is shopping for groceries or house shopping, math is not a subject that your child can afford to struggle to understand. Your student will be able to make wise decisions if she grasps the concepts she learns in math class.

If your child has weak math skills, talk to her teacher to see what you can be doing to help her. With the overcrowding in schools getting even worse, teachers are being handed larger class sizes and fewer resources. Although your child's teacher doesn't want to see any student struggle, she may not be able to offer your child the one-on-one attention that is needed. You may want to consider hiring a professional tutor to ensure that your child gets the help she needs. After all, math skills are skills that she will need as she faces decisions both big and small over the course of her lifetime.