The Word of Maths - Importance of Mathematics and Numeracy in Daily Life

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.