Family Activities

Where’s The Math? Making Real World Math Connections

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When it comes to formal maths, how many of you have asked the questions, “Why do we need to know this stuff and when are we ever going to use it?”

Personally I learned more about math when I left school than I did while I was there!

This week’s post is dedicated to Making Real-World Math Connections. I have found sites that will show you where the math is in the real world and how useful it is in our lives. Math truly is all around us, and it doesn’t always have to come wrapped in a textbook, or on a worksheet, or in a workbook to be learned.

We use math in many ways everyday and sometimes it’s so subtle, we don’t even realize we are doing it! 

I bet you use it much more often than you realize! 😏

Math in Stories!

You will find a long list of stories, books, plays, and films that have math as part of the story line here:

According to the site: The Mathematical Fiction Homepage is my attempt to collect information about all significant references to mathematics in fiction.
To get right to the list, click here.

Wikipedia: Mathematical Fiction – A genre of creative fiction where mathematics and mathematicians play an important role.

Math in Music!


Math really does have a rhythm….


AMS: Mathematics & Music – Explore the connections between mathematics and music in the videos, podcasts, and articles offered.

“There is geometry in the humming of the strings, there is music in the spacing of the spheres.” — Pythagoras

Wikipedia: Music & Mathematics – History, time, rhythm and meter, musical form, tuning systems, and connections to mathematics.

Scientific America: Article: Is There a Link between Music and Math? – Read the article to find out!

Thirteen: Get The Math: Math In Music – Offers a musical challenge that relates to algebra. Check out the rest of  the Get The Math site for more real-world math activities.

Math in the Real World!

How do we use math everyday?

Education World: Math Article  – This article, “Get Real: Math in Everyday Life” has lots of ways math is used in real life and will link you up to may other great learning sites. 

Think Through Learning: 6 Everyday Examples of Math in the Real World – Math in everyday things.

Mashup Math: 10 Examples of Real World Connections in Mathematics – Article offers some ways math applies to the real-world.

TedED: Math in Real Life – Quite a few videos are offered about the real-life math connections.

Math in Nature!


Have some fun with Fibonacci!

The following sites will have you finding patterns in nature!

Fibonacci in Nature – Fibonacci in plant and animal life.

Math is Fun: Fibonacci Sequence: Site offers an explanation of Fibonacci and the Golden Rule.

Wolfram: Math World: Fibonacci Number – Offers some technical info about Fibonacci.

Wikipedia: Fibonacci Number – Information about Fibonacci Numbers and Fibonacci himself.

Funschooling & Recreational Learning:

Spirals – Links to information about spirals.

Geometric Designs – Design your own coloring book from geometric designs.

Fractals – Learn about naturally occurring fractals.

Informal Math Activities – You will find lots of informal and fun, real-world math activities on this page!

I hope these sites make math more fun and interesting for you and your family.

Connect with Funschooling & Recreational Learning!
Note: Has this or another activity inspired you or someone else in a positive way? Have you featured this activity in a blog post? I invite you to comment and link back to where your post can be found, or tell me what you or your family enjoyed about the post! Thank you!