Mathematics vs. Numeracy: Definitions, Examples, and Comparisons

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of mathematics and numeracy, defining each concept and highlighting their distinct characteristics and applications. The essay defines mathematics as a specialized use of numbers and operations to simplify calculations, encompassing fields like algebra and calculus, and explains its use in real-world scenarios such as calculating ingredient ratios in cooking or estimating travel time. It also delves into numeracy, defining it as the ability to apply mathematical skills to daily life, including personal finance and statistical analysis. The essay emphasizes the differences between mathematics and numeracy, highlighting that while mathematics is a broad field of study, numeracy focuses on practical application and understanding of mathematical concepts in everyday situations. Examples, such as the Fibonacci sequence in nature and the use of numeracy in personal financial management, illustrate the concepts. The essay also includes references to support the definitions and examples provided.

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Mathematics is defined as the specialized use of numbers and special operations to
make the operations with quantities easier. In addition, mathematics is defined as “a group of
related sciences, including algebra, geometry, and calculus, concerned with the study of
number, quantity, shape, and space and their interrelationships by using a specialized
notation” (Wilkinson, 2009). Therefore, mathematics is a science which helps to come with
solutions of different notations. Mathematical operations are able to make the understanding
of different concepts such as speed, time velocity heat, light among others easy.
Mathematical operations and symbols are able to relate different quantities in order to find
and understand other related quantities. Mathematics is able to use signs and symbols to
explain operations and numbers (Gratzer, 2016). Different smaller fields are available in math
which include, calculus, trigonometry, algebra, geometry among others subfield. All these
subfields are able to have some of the key applications in real life situations. For instance,
when one is having a birthday, he or she may have some key specific details about the cake
needed. This will require combination of different ingredients in order to achieve the required
taste and preference. the chef will be able to calculate the amount of each ingredient and
identify the amount of fraction needed. The combination of the fractional parts of the
mathematical application (Nickson, 2004). The different parts combination of the ingredients
is able to form a critical part of the mathematical application in daily life. Each day, while
even cooking at home, the fraction of different ingredients and spices to the form to make it
tasty are critical applications of mathematics in real life.
Moreover, another application of the mathematical formula and expressions is on the
speed. When one needs to go to a certain place, the distance from the initial point to the
destination pops up to their mind. The next thing on the mid is to estimate the time which one

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can be able to take to reach their destination. In this, the person is able to use the speed and
distance to calculate the time which he or she will be likely to take to the destination.
Estimating the speed which one will have, either by foot or vehicle helps them to calculate
the time to be taken. This happens each day when one is able to provide the time they will
take to reach a destination. It is all about the mathematics application in real life. In addition,
the natural phenomenon is able to comply with the mathematical formulations as well. For
instance, the petals on a lily blossom is always a Fibonacci number, the way in which fern
leaves form a geometric fractal or the symmetry of a butterfly (Laing, 2016). The sequence of
the formation is able to follow a mathematical formulation. The petals emerge each day and
therefore are able to exhibit the mathematical applications and existence each day. All these
applications are able to show that mathematics is a critical area which is applied each day.
Even without the knowledge on mathematics from school, each person is able to apply
mathematics in the decisions they make. The mathematics operations are able to be involved
in the different activities which are carried each day (In Pak & In McLaughlin, 2018). From
the financial sector, banking, tourism, home activities, exercise, healthy, fitness, designs.
Shopping among many more activities are able to make the application of mathematics in
making decisions.
On the other hand, numeracy is defined as a concept, which has evolved to reflect on
the basic competency and skills to deal with mathematical concepts in daily life. Numeracy is
therefore seen as a part of the mathematics applications. Understanding the concepts of
mathematical applications has been for long seen to be the main concepts in numeracy.
Nevertheless, the increased complication of the operations has been able to enhance the
numeracy view from just as simple and basic mathematical skills (Westwood, & Australian
Council for Educational Research, 2008). For instance, the personal financial management
has evolved to use of complicated mathematical skills and not just the simple addition and

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subtraction skills. Specialized skills are needed to help enhance the level of evolvement in the
personal finance management. This is a key application of the numeracy in real life situation.
In addition, in statistical information presentation, the use of mean, median, frequency, are
some of the key numeracy concepts which are applied. Knowledge about groups
characteristics is carried out in planning sectors day in day out. This is a critical area where
the numeracy is applied in real life. Numeracy is much more of understanding of the
mathematical skills and not only viewing numeracy as mathematics (McArdle, Kolman, &
Dorling Kindersley, Inc., 2016). The skills are applied each day in different fields in order to
make key decisions. The applications of the skills are an important factor of showing the
importance of numeracy in real life situations. The personal financial management is
therefore one of the key area which has the application of the numeracy in daily life situation.
The major key differences which are able to differentiate mathematics from numeracy
include the following. First, numeracy is the ability to have the knowledge on mathematical
concepts and able to deal with different quantities and situations in daily operations. On the
other hand, mathematics is a field of study which involves concepts and their relations to
objects and qualities. Mathematics is able to specialize in the operations in order to solve
complex problems. Secondly, to be considered numerate, one has to have more that the
knowledge on basic mathematical concepts but able to understand the changing dynamics of
operations in numeracy (Wang, 2015). Therefore, numeracy is able to demand more than just
the mathematical concepts when solving the real life problems. Lastly, mathematics is a
broad field while numeracy is a part or branch of mathematics which is able to explore deeper
and outside mathematics operations. This means that they two have a link but have other key
areas where they are not interlinked. Numeracy starts with the mathematical operation
application but able to change to different total concepts to achieve its goal. Generally, both

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mathematics and numeracy are important concepts which have their applications in real life
situations

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References
Gratzer, G. A. (2016). More Math Into LaTeX. Cham : Springer International Publishing.
In Pak, R., & In McLaughlin, A. (2018). Aging, Technology and Health. London : Elsevier
Ltd. : Academic Press
Laing, L. (2016). Your daily math: 366 number puzzles and problems to keep you sharp. New
York, NY : Fall River Press.
McArdle, S., Kolman, J., & Dorling Kindersley, Inc.,. (2016). Money math, 3rd grade. New
York : Dk Publishing
Nickson, M. (2004). Teaching and learning mathematics: A guide to recent research and its
applications. London: Continuum.
Wang, P. (2015). Number conception and application. Hauppauge, New York : Nova
Science Publishers, Inc.
Westwood, P., & Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). (2008). What
teachers need to know about numeracy. Melbourne : ACER Press
Wilkinson, M. H. F. (2009). Mathematical Morphology and Its Application to Signal and
Image Processing: 9th International Symposium, ISMM 2009 Groningen, the
Netherlands, August 24-27, 2009 Proceedings. (Mathematical morphology and its
application to signal and image processing.) Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin
Heidelberg.