The Word of Maths: A Detailed Exploration of Mathematics and Numeracy

This essay delves into the interconnected yet distinct concepts of mathematics and numeracy, emphasizing their significance in everyday life. Mathematics is portrayed as an abstract science dealing with quantity, logic, shape, and arrangement, encompassing fields like algebra, arithmetic, and geometry. Numeracy, on the other hand, is defined as the confidence and disposition to use mathematics effectively, focusing on practical applications and contextual understanding. The essay highlights the similarities between mathematics and numeracy, particularly the use of numbers, while also underscoring their differences, such as mathematics' emphasis on abstraction versus numeracy's adherence to context. Real-life examples, such as telling time, cooking, decorating, and driving, are used to illustrate the practical applications of both concepts, demonstrating how numeracy serves as a bridge between mathematical knowledge and real-world problem-solving. The essay concludes that numeracy is a critical awareness that adapts mathematical ideas to new contexts, making both mathematics and numeracy indispensable in navigating daily situations.

Running head: THE WORD OF MATHS
The Word of Maths
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1THE WORD OF MATHS
Two basic concepts are used in daily life i.e. mathematics and numeracy. It is very
essential to learn how to measure and calculate in a broad range of situations. Student should
have immense knowledge and skill of mathematics to numerate (Siemon et al., 2015).
Creativity, critical thinking, power of reasoning are natured by mathematics. The skill and
knowledge of mathematics can be developed through considering the real life experience.
The concepts of numeracy and mathematics are completely different. It is to be noted that
fundamental of mathematics are taught at school level but it can be used for lifetime. Hence,
it is an integral part of human life.
Mathematics is the abstract science. Mathematics is a subject of science that deals
with the quantity, the logic of shape and arrangement. Algebra, arithmetic and geometry are
the parts of mathematics (Stewart & Tall, 2015). Mathematical process and operations are
used to solve a problem related to scientific field. Pure mathematics and applied mathematics
is the two branch of mathematics (Carruccio & Quigly, 2017). Mathematics is all about the
abstract ideas. Mathematics is used to measuring and counting. Things are compared through
mathematics. Mathematics can be defined as a science of patterns.
Of late, “Numeracy” is used in discussions about mathematics at school level. By the
definition of numeracy, it is meant the confidence and disposition to use mathematics. It is
used as cross culture learning in schools than mathematics (Kahan, Peters & Dawson, 2017).
Numeracy helps to gain the understanding of number system. Simple numerical concepts are
used in numeracy (Skwarchuk, Sowinski & Fevre, 2014). There are some considerable
features of numeracy. It is also necessary to have knowledge in counting and measuring the
data.
It is assumed that there are some similarities and dissimilarities between the concepts
of numeracy and mathematics. The focus of mathematics is on hiking the steps of

2THE WORD OF MATHS
abstraction. Numeracy adheres to context. Mathematics is about the common principles that
are used in a wide range of context. Each context is seen in numeracy through quantitative
lens. By definition, mathematics is companionable and abstract (Coles & Copeland, 2014). It
deals with the relations among perfect objects and universal truth. In contrast, numeracy
deals with inferences drawn from particular facts about real objects (Gal & Tout, 2014).
Mathematics can deal with real event and real data. It mostly depends on the repeated events.
On the other hand, numeracy has no such limitations or boundaries. Hence, numeracy is not a
discipline. Therefore, numeracy is defined as mathematical action that is practically applied.
Mathematics is all about finding the patterns (Foster et al., 2016). It tries to answer the
questions and develop methods of solutions to those questions. Hence, mathematics tries to
provide correct answers and accurate techniques for solving in future. Numbers are used in
both numeracy and mathematics. This can be identified as one of the similarities between
them.
Numeracy and mathematics can be used in various ways in real life situations. It is
very important to develop the skills of numeracy incorporated into daily life. Parents can
provide the receipts of a supermarket to their children. Then, they can ask their children to
select some items from the receipts. Children may be asked to add the prices of the selected
items. Thus, their competencies can be developed in numeracy through daily life.
Mathematical concepts are required to tell the time. The person have to know that
there are 24 hours in a day. It is divided into two equal halves. It is also necessary to know
that one hour is equal to 60 minutes and one minute is equal to 60 seconds. It is essential to
have the understanding of fractions. A term like “a quarter to five” is used during telling time.
Using the term it is meant that a quarter of an hour that is one-fourth of an hour or 15 minutes
are remained in the watch to become 5’o clock. Therefore, concepts of mathematics have
been used.

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It is supposed that only one teaspoon is available at home. It is necessary to add “2
teaspoons” of sugar in a recipe. Then, idea of mathematics can be utilised here. It can be
assumed that there is only one cup in the room. It is necessary to add ¾ cup of salt in any
recipe. To understand the problem, it is necessary to have the basic knowledge of
mathematics and the understanding of fractions.
The concept of mathematics and numeracy can be used in decorating. Mathematical
concept is needed to determine how many concepts are to be painted for the wall. Basic
concepts are required to differentiate between foot and square foot. It is necessary to
understand the following concepts. The meaning of two different sides of the measuring tape
should be understood. It is also necessary to determine the required space for the couch.
Concepts of mathematics and numbering are applied at the time of driving. The
distance between the starting point and destination can be calculated using mathematical
operators. It is necessary to determine the quantity of gas in the car. The speed of the car can
be evaluated through basic mathematical skills.
Children can estimate how much water is required to fill a bucket during summer.
The knowledge of capacity can be enhanced. They can use standard measures to estimate the
quantity of require water.
Children can conduct a survey in their locality to be familiar with data handling.
They can make a survey on different cars passing by their home. This data can be recored as
a form of tally chart. This information can be represented graphically through bar chart or
pie diagram.
It can be concluded that numeracy is defined as a subset of mathematics.
Mathematical results are interpreted through numeracy. It can be said that numeracy is a
critical awareness that try to build bridge between the real world and mathematics. Innovative

4THE WORD OF MATHS
mathematical ideas are adapted to a new context through numeracy in daily life. Hence, the
importance of numeracy and mathematics cannot be denied. Thus, the concepts of
mathematics and numeracy have a vast application in the situations that happened in real life.

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References:
Carruccio, E., & Quigly, I. (2017). Mathematics and logic in history and in contemporary
thought. Routledge.
Coles, D., & Copeland, T. (2014). Numeracy and mathematics across the primary curriculum:
Building confidence and understanding. Routledge.
Foster, M. E., Anthony, J. L., Clements, D. H., Sarama, J., & Williams, J. M. (2016).
Improving mathematics learning of kindergarten students through computer-assisted
instruction. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 47(3), 206-232.
Gal, I., & Tout, D. (2014). Comparison of PIAAC and PISA frameworks for numeracy and
mathematical literacy. OECD Education Working Papers, (102), 0_1.
Kahan, D. M., Peters, E., Dawson, E. C., & Slovic, P. (2017). Motivated numeracy and
enlightened self-government. Behavioural Public Policy, 1(1), 54-86.
Siemon, D. E., Beswick, K., Brady, K., Clark, J., Faragher, R., & Warren, E.
(2015). Teaching Mathematics. Oxford University Press.
Skwarchuk, S. L., Sowinski, C., & LeFevre, J. A. (2014). Formal and informal home learning
activities in relation to children’s early numeracy and literacy skills: The development
of a home numeracy model. Journal of experimental child psychology, 121, 63-84.
Stewart, I., & Tall, D. (2015). The foundations of mathematics. OUP Oxford.