Maths in the real world: guide and activities

Explore how maths is used in the real world with this handy guide!

The Doodle Star; a yellow star with two white eyes and a smiling white mouth

Author
Lucy Hart

Published
October 31, 2023

Maths in the real world: guide and activities

Explore how maths is used in real life with this handy guide!

The Doodle Star; a yellow star with two white eyes and a smiling white mouth

Author
Lucy Hart

Published
Oct 31, 2023

Maths in the real world: guide and activities

Explore how maths is used in real life with this handy guide!

The Doodle Star; a yellow star with two white eyes and a smiling white mouth

Author
Lucy Hart

Published
Oct 31, 2023

Key takeaways

  • Maths isn’t just used in the classroom: it can be found all around us!
  • Learning about real-world maths can develop important life skills (such as financial literacy), combat maths anxiety and promote a genuine love of learning
  • There are plans to teach more real-world maths in primary schools

Maths is all around us. From shopping trips to football matches, sums and calculations are used by everyone, every day!

Whether you’re a self-professed maths fan or the very thought of numbers makes you feel queasy, exploring how maths is used in everyday life is a great way to bring the subject to life and show kids (and adults!) just how useful it can be. 

With this in mind, we’ve put together a guide covering everything you need to know about real-world maths, including examples of maths in real life and some activities for you to have a go at. Let’s get started!

What is 'real-world maths'?

Real-world maths refers to how mathematical concepts and skills are used in our everyday lives. Real-world maths can be found in lots of places, including work, home and even the cinema

Real world maths in the news

In October 2023, Labour announced plans to teach real-world maths in primary schools

As part of this, teachers will ‘show children how numeracy [is] used in the world around them’ by looking at ‘household budgeting, currency exchange rates when going on holiday’ and ‘cookery recipes’.

This plan will not only teach kids invaluable skills such as financial literacy, but will also help to combat maths anxiety and ‘bring maths to life for the next generation’.

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Select a year group

  • Number

  • Shape, space and measure

  • Patterns

  • Number and place value

  • Addition and subtraction

  • Multiplication and division

  • Operations (ASMD)

  • Fractions

  • Measure

  • Shape/geometry

  • Statistics

  • Ratio and proportion

  • Algebra

  • Probability

Sample questions

Why is real-world maths important?

Learning about real-world maths has lots of benefits! These include:

  • It shows kids that maths is useful: Lots of children don’t think they’ll use maths outside of school, and can therefore be quite reluctant to learn about it. Real-world maths is the ultimate way to prove that, yes, fractions are useful in everyday life!

  • It can combat maths anxiety: By understanding that maths is much more than written problems on a page, kids can become much more at ease with the subject, knowing it has useful real-world applications.

  • It can be inspirational: From animators to programmers, lots of jobs (including many you wouldn’t expect!) use maths. This fact can be really motivational for children, as they realise their dream jobs will require mathematical skills and knowledge.

  • It can boost financial literacy: Understanding real-world maths is really important when it comes to managing finances effectively. It can help kids to understand budgets, save money, invest wisely and make informed financial decisions.

  • It can build problem-solving skills: Real-world maths can help kids understand how to identify and solve problems using mathematical concepts. It can also develop critical thinking and analytical skills, requiring them to analyse information, make decisions and draw conclusions based on mathematical reasoning.

See real world maths with DoodleMaths

Want to have a go at some questions? DoodleMaths is an app that’s filled with thousands of fun, personalised exercises exploring the whole primary curriculum!

Accessible on tablets, mobiles, laptops and desktops, DoodleMaths creates each child a unique learning experience programme tailored to their needs, boosting their confidence and ability in maths. 

Created by teachers, it sets work at just the right level for each child and includes visual explanations for every topic, letting them work independently. Try it free today! 

for families

Examples of maths in real life

  • Shopping: When you go shopping with your parents, you use maths to add up the prices of items, look for the best deals and make sure you have enough money to buy your favourite snacks.

     

  • Budgeting: Your family uses maths to plan how much money can be spent on necessities (such as electricity and food), fun stuff (like toys and games) and to save for special treats or holidays.

     

  • Cooking and baking: In the kitchen, you use maths to measure ingredients like flour, sugar and milk to create delicious cakes and cookies. You also use a timer to make sure they’re baked just right!
  • DIY: When your family wants to paint your room or put up new wallpaper, you help measure the walls, and your parents use maths to figure out how much paint or wallpaper they need.

 

  • Public transport: When you take the bus or train for a fun day out, your parents use maths to check the schedules, buy tickets and plan the best route to your destination.

     

  • Fitness: In fitness, you can measure how fast you run or how high you jump, all using maths.

     

  • Healthcare: Doctors and nurses use maths to make sure you receive the right amount of medicine to help you feel better when you’re feeling unwell.

     

  • Weather forecasts: Meteorologists use maths to predict the weather, so your family can plan for sunny days at the beach or cosy days indoors.

Real-life maths activities

Here are some fun activities you can have a go at with your child or pupils to explore how maths is used in the real world!

  • Shopaholic maths: The next time you go food shopping, challenge your child to compare prices, calculate discounts and estimate the total cost of the items in your trolley. This activity is a great way to boost their mental maths skills and teach them about discounts and budgeting.

     

  • Get baking: Involve your child in the kitchen. Let them measure ingredients, set timers, and adjust recipes to serve more or fewer people. They’ll see how maths helps create delicious meals!
real world maths activities
  • Money management: Give your child a small allowance and encourage them to save, budget and set savings goals for items they want to buy. This will teach them financial responsibility.

 

  • Travel planning: If you’re going on a trip, involve your child in planning. They can help to calculate distances, research attractions and even create a travel budget. They’ll soon become the family’s travel expert!

     

  • Sports stats: If your child is interested in sports, teach them how to keep score, calculate batting averages or track their favourite team’s performance. Maths makes the game more exciting!

     

  • Map reading: On your next walk or hike, explore the area with your child via a map, pointing out landmarks, distances and locations you’ve visited or plan to visit. 
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Parents, sign up for a DoodleMaths subscription and see your child become a maths wizard!

More real-world maths resources

Real-world maths activities to try at home

Explore real-world maths at home with these fun activities, all requiring minimal prep and planning!

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