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Math is an essential part of our daily lives, and it’s important for 7th graders to understand how the math they are learning in the classroom applies to real-world situations. In this blog post, we will explore some examples of how 7th-grade math is used in everyday life and how understanding these concepts can make a difference in our daily lives.
Money
One of the most obvious ways that 7th-grade math is used in everyday life is through money. From counting change to calculating sales tax, understanding basic arithmetic and fractions is essential for making financial transactions. 7th graders will also learn about decimals, which are used to represent money. Understanding how to work with decimals can help students make accurate calculations when shopping or managing their own finances.
Let’s look more closely at calculating sales tax. Sales tax is a percentage of the cost of a product or service that is added to the purchase price and is collected by the government. For example, if a product costs $10 and the sales tax rate is 6%, the total cost of the product would be $10.60. To calculate this, a 7th grader would need to know how to multiply $10 by 6% (or 0.06), which is done by moving the decimal point two places to the right and adding it to the original price. This is a real-world application of 7th-grade math that students will encounter frequently in their daily lives when shopping.
Cooking and Baking
Another area where 7th-grade math is used in everyday life is cooking and baking. Students will learn about measuring ingredients, converting measurements, and understanding basic ratios. This can be a fun and interactive way to apply math to everyday activities and learn how to cook and bake with precision.
For example, cooking and baking require a good understanding of and converting measurements. When following a recipe, it’s important to measure ingredients accurately in order to achieve the desired outcome. 7th graders learn about measurements like cups, teaspoons, and tablespoons and how to convert them to metric units like milliliters and grams.
Let’s say a recipe calls for 1/2 cup of sugar, but you only have a set of metric measuring cups. A 7th grader would need to use their knowledge of conversion factors to convert 1/2 cup to the equivalent amount in milliliters. They would know that 1 cup is equivalent to 237 ml, so they would divide 237/2=118.5ml, so they would know they need to use 118.5ml of sugar.
Another example is understanding basic ratios. When baking, ingredients are often combined in specific ratios to ensure the final product turns out correctly. For example, the ratio of flour to sugar in a recipe for cookies is typically 2:1. This means for every 2 cups of flour, there should be 1 cup of sugar. A 7th grader would need to understand and apply this ratio in order to adjust the recipe if they want to make more or fewer cookies.
By learning these concepts, 7th graders can learn to cook and bake with precision, adjust the ingredients and measurements to their liking, and even create their own recipes. Again, this further strengthens a student’s grasp of fractions and decimals.
Geometry
Geometry is another math concept that is used in everyday life. From understanding the shape of objects to designing and creating structures, geometry plays a vital role in our everyday lives. Understanding basic concepts such as angles, lines, and shapes can help students understand the world around them and make informed decisions.
One example of how 7th grade math is used in geometry is in understanding spatial relationships and designing and creating structures. 7th graders learn about basic concepts such as points, lines, angles, and shapes, which are fundamental to understanding how objects are positioned in space and how they relate to one another.
For example, a 7th grader may be interested in designing and building a birdhouse. They would need to use their knowledge of geometry to plan the dimensions and angles of the birdhouse, such as the angle of the roof and the size of the entrance hole. This would involve understanding basic concepts such as the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the length of the diagonal of a rectangle. Additionally, they would need to understand concepts such as symmetry and congruence to ensure that the birdhouse is aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Another example of geometry in everyday life is in understanding maps and navigation. 7th graders learn about basic concepts of maps such as scale, direction, and distance. They learn how to read and interpret maps, and how to use coordinates to locate a specific point on a map. These skills can be applied in everyday life to navigate in the city, plan a trip, or even locate an object in a store.
Understanding geometry is crucial for understanding the world around us and making informed decisions. By relating geometry to real-world situations, 7th graders can better understand the relevance of what they’re learning and how it applies to their everyday lives. Whether it’s designing and building a birdhouse, understanding maps, or even just arranging furniture in a room, geometry is a fundamental tool that is useful in many aspects of our daily lives.
Statistics
Statistics is another important concept that 7th graders will learn in math class. Understanding statistics can help students make sense of information in their daily lives, such as interpreting polls or understanding the results of scientific experiments. Understanding basic statistical concepts such as mean, median, and mode can be a powerful tool for making sense of the world.
One example of how 7th-grade math is used in statistics is in understanding and interpreting polls and surveys. Polls and surveys are used to gather information about people’s opinions, beliefs, and behaviors. 7th graders learn about basic statistical concepts such as mean, median, mode, and range which are used to analyze and summarize data.
For example, a 7th grader may be interested in understanding the results of a survey about student preferences for school lunch. The survey asked students to rate their satisfaction with the school lunch on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being very dissatisfied and 5 being very satisfied. The 7th grader would need to understand how to calculate the mean, median, mode, and range of the survey results in order to understand how students feel about the school lunch on average. The mean is the sum of all the numbers divided by the number of responses, median is the middle value when the responses are arranged in numerical order, mode is the most frequent value in the data, and range is the difference between the highest and lowest value.
Another example is understanding and interpreting data in a graph or chart. 7th graders learn how to read and interpret different types of graphs, such as bar graphs, line graphs, and pie charts. This is an important skill in understanding data, as it is often presented in this format. Understanding how to read and interpret graphs can help 7th graders make sense of information in the news, in their studies, and in their daily lives.
Technology
Technology is also a big part of our daily lives, and math plays a crucial role in it. From understanding the inner workings of a computer to designing and coding apps and games, math is essential for understanding and using technology. 7th graders will learn basic concepts of algebra and geometry that will help them understand how technology works and how to create their own.
One example of how 7th-grade math is used in technology is in understanding the inner workings of a computer and coding. Computers use binary code, a system of numbers and letters that represents data and instructions. 7th graders learn about basic concepts of algebra and number systems, which are essential for understanding how computers work and how to code.
To illustrate, a 7th grader may be interested in learning how to code a simple game or app. They would need to use their knowledge of algebra to write and understand mathematical equations that are used to create the game or app. They would also need to understand the binary number system, which is the foundation of how computers process information. Understanding binary code allows them to write simple programs, like a game or an application, and run them on a computer.
Another example is understanding algorithms. Algorithms are a set of instructions that a computer follows to complete a specific task. 7th graders learn about basic concepts such as flowcharts and pseudocode, which are used to design algorithms. This skill is useful in a wide range of areas, including computer programming, artificial intelligence, and data analysis. Understanding algorithms can help 7th graders to design their own programs, apps, and games and also helps to improve problem-solving skills.
Therefore, understanding math concepts like algebra and number systems is crucial for understanding and using technology. By relating math to real-world situations such as computer programming and algorithm design, 7th graders can better understand the relevance of what they’re learning and how it applies to their everyday lives. Understanding how technology works and being able to create their own programs, apps, and games can also help students to develop their own projects and ideas and be ready for further studies in technology.
Conclusion
In conclusion, math plays a vital role in our daily lives, and understanding the concepts that 7th graders are learning in the classroom can make a difference in their daily lives. From shopping and cooking to technology and statistics, 7th-grade math can help students make sense of the world around them and make informed decisions. By relating math to real-world situations, students can better understand the relevance of what they’re learning and how it applies to their everyday lives.
If you enjoyed reading this article, why not also take a look at Teaching Fractions and Decimals. And if you want to put your Math class on autopilot and never have to prepare a lesson again, then you’ll want to check out our subscription offers that have saved thousands of teachers countless hours of their free time.
Image sources
Money Image by storyset on Freepik
Baking Image by Freepik
Birdhouse Image by bearfotos on Freepik
Survey Image by Freepik
Programming Image by Freepik