ARITHMETIC

This is part three of my foundations for life series, Arithmetic.

The Math Question

Over the past two weeks I have discussed Reading and Writing as two of the fundamental building blocks for success in our lives.  Those two are intricately related to one another, the final piece of the puzzle, arithmetic, is different from the others but no less important.

When we are going through our school days it is vital that we learn, and learn well, basic math skills.  Improving our abilities and learning some advanced skills can be a key to further improving the outcomes of our lives.  In high school only the highly motivated and far-sighted students went into the most advanced courses and excelled.  Many of the rest of us pushed our way through Algebra I, then perhaps Geometry or Algebra II just because we thought we had to, and some went through only the basic math courses.  As we passed through these courses at some point each of us probably said something like this, "when will I ever use this stuff in real life?"

The Answer to that Question

Most of us use this stuff every day without even realizing it.  Every day we face challenges that are mathematical in nature from recalling blocks of numbers such as our social security numbers or various numeric passwords to cooking in the kitchen.  The real issue is understanding, since we often engage in mathematical concepts regularly what we really lack is the understanding of how or why certain things work.  Ahh, back to those inattentive and unmotivated days of high school.  If we only knew then what we know now, would it have resulted in a different outcome today?

How many of you have a checkbook?  Keeping it in balance is a mathematical practice.  Do you drive an automobile?  Managing the fuel gauge is an exercise in mathematics.  You must consider several variables, the fill percentage of your tank, the size of the tank, the current odometer reading, how far you are traveling, and perhaps how much you have available to purchase more fuel.  Also while driving you are constantly calculating distances between vehicles and obstacles, braking distances, acceleration rates, and so much more.

That automobile you are driving, how did you purchase it?  Most of these purchases are financed.  Oops, finance is a special branch of mathematics.  Again variables come into play, how much of a payment do you want to have, how long are you willing to finance, at what interest rate, do you have a down payment?  How will this vehicle impact my insurance, or property tax obligations?  As a dad of a fifteen year old daughter who is learning a bit about driving and looking toward getting her learner's permit I am having to consider, how will this impact our current insurance rates (they will go up), how do we afford another vehicle or manage our existing vehicles to permit her some access? 

Final Thoughts

Since you are using (and will continue to use) math daily get comfortable with it, and seek a better understanding.  With the tools we have available today there is no reason to lack a solid understanding of where mathematics intersects with our daily lives.  Furthering how you understand may begin with a better knowledge of the unique variables you face.  Learning is a lifelong adventure and the more we know the more we will be able to rightly apply as we come to decision points in our journey.  Look for knowledge so you might Do Well!  

I hope you have enjoyed this three part perspective on the 3 R's of old.  It has been a good time to look back at these as a basis to look forward to future success.  Many blessings to you!