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Daily Math : From Concepts to Habits

Wanda Nugroho Yanuarto


Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto
Email : wandanugroho86@gmail.com

Abstract. Math expresses itself everywhere, in almost every face of life, in nature all around,
and in the technologies in hands. Mathematics is the language for the universe. The purpose
of this study are introducing math in concept and deliver it into application life for students.
The situational problem as the starting point helps students to relate what they learn to
problems in daily life , and construct that are related to real situations. It is take place in
math education subject in Teacher Training and Education Faculty at The University of
Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, Indonesia. Authors start with projects that have applications
of math and continue with the closely related topic of concept math. Then go on to the
timely topic of concepts of math (exponents, multiplying & dividing integers, multiplying
decimals, and percent), the application of which are immediately felt when the students face
in cooking by numbers, home decorating, populating growth, saving & credit, and playing
to win. It presents four projects in home, restaurant, school or college, and bank. In the
section on society it touchs upon topics like cooking recipe, decorating a house, populating,
account saving, and probability issues.

Keyword: Math, concepts of math, habits of math

I. INTRODUCTION be compared to a pyramid. On the top of


Mathematics is in principle inexpensive. the pyramid are applications of
As the old joke says, a mathematician mathematics to health, weather, movies
needs only paper, a pencil, an easy chair and mobile phones. However the top of
and a waste basket. Also, the criterion for this pyramid would not be so high if its
success in mathematics is by and large base were not so wide. Only by extending
universally accepted. This makes the width of the base can we eventually
mathematics an attractive 'investment' build the top higher (Devlin, 1998; Guedj,
(Hoffman, 1997; Brookhart, 1998; Gullberg, 1998; Dehaene, 1997). This special feature
1997). Moreover, a mathematical result is of mathematics derives from its internal
valid forever. It may fall out of fashion, or structure. A good modern application of
fall outside the current area of application, mathematics can typically draw from
but even the oldest known mathematical differential equations, numerical analysis
formulae - such as that for solving and linear algebra. These may very well
quadratic equations, known 2400 years draw from graph theory, group theory and
ago by Babylonians, Chinese and later the complex analysis. These in turn rest on the
Greeks before being crystallized into its firm basis of number theory, topology and
present form in 1100 AD by a Hindu geometry. Going deeper and deeper into
mathematician called Baskhara - are the the roots of the mathematics, one ends up
bread and butter of present-day with such cornerstones of logic as model
elementary mathematics. Mathematics can theory and set theory.

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It is clear that mathematics is heavily transmitted without revealing the content.
used in large industrial projects and in the On the other hand, sometimes a party may
ever-growing electronic infrastructure that find it vitally important to break a code
surrounds us. However, mathematics is that another party has devised for its
also increasingly infiltrating smaller scale protection. Some companies want to
circles, such as doctors' reception rooms, examine the data of our credit card
sailboat design and of course all kinds of purchases in order to have access to our
portable devices. There has also been a shopping patterns (Guillen, 1996;
change in the way mathematics penetrates Dunham, 1991). Some governments want
our society. The oldest applications of to do the same with regard to what they
mathematics were probably in various deem less innocuous patterns of behavior.
aspects of measurement, such as Cryptography is a typical example of the
measuring area, price, length or time. This mathematics of the digital world. Digital
has led to tremendously successful data has become important in almost all
mathematical theories of equations, fields of learning, a natural consequence of
dynamical systems and so on. In today's advances in computer technology. This has
world, we already know pretty accurately undoubtedly influenced the way students
for example the make-up of the human look at fields of mathematics such as
genome, yet we are just taking the first number theory, that were previously
steps in understanding the mathematics thought to be very pure and virtually
behind this incredibly complex structure devoid of applications, good or bad. Now
of three billion DNA base pairs (Conway, suddenly everybody in the possession of
1997; Singh, 1998). Our understanding of big primes has someone looking over their
the mathematics of the whole universe of shoulder.
heavenly bodies, even going back in time This infiltration is quite remarkable and
to the first second of its existence, is better elevates mathematics to a different
than our understanding of the position from that which it previously
mathematics of our own genes and bodies. occupied. Mathematics is no longer a
What is the difference between the strange otherworldly subject, practiced by
hereditary information encoded in DNA a few curious geniuses but for most
and the information we have about the students best left alone. The spread of
movements of the heavenly bodies? Is it microprocessors into every conceivable
that we have been able to encapsulate the aspect of our everyday life has brought
latter into simple equations, but not the heavy-duty computing into our homes,
former? Or is it perhaps that the latter has into our classrooms and into scientific
a completely different nature than the laboratories of all kinds. Naturally it is
former, one that makes it susceptible to unnecessary for everyone to understand
study in terms of equations, while the all this computing, which can take place in
former comes from a world governed by microseconds without our noticing
chance, and algorithms, a world of digital (Stewart, 1998; Dunham, 1997). But it
data, where the methods of the continuous means that anyone who refuses to
world do not apply? acknowledge the role of mathematics will
Another well-known instance of see the changing technosphere as
mathematics in society is cryptography in something strange and in the worst case as
its various guises. There exist numerous something irrational or even frightening. A
situations in which data must be very good way to understand and come to
encrypted such that it can be publicly terms with an important aspect of modern

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life our ever-growing dependence on hitting snooze, they may quickly need to
interpreting digital data is to have a basic calculate the new time they will arise. Or
knowledge of mathematics. they might step on a bathroom scale and
Basic knowledge: what does this mean decide that they’ll skip those extra calories
and how is it attained? Clearly, this takes at lunch. Students on medication need to
us into the realm of mathematics understand different dosages, whether in
education. Strictly speaking, education is grams or milliliters. Recipes call for ounces
not an application of mathematics, but it is and cups and teaspoons --all
nevertheless of increasing importance to measurements, all math. And decorators
the mathematical world (Paulos, 1996). need to know that the dimensions of their
Without attempting to answer this difficult furnishings and rugs will match the area of
question, one must admit that it is their rooms; 2) In Travel, travelers often
important and that math education will consider their miles-per-gallon when
face huge challenges in the future, not least fueling up for daily trips, but they might
because of the infiltration of mathematics need to calculate anew when faced with
into all levels of society. This infiltration obstructionist detours and consider the
clearly has much to do with the revolution cost in miles, time and money. Air
triggered by the development of travelers need to know departure times
computers over the last fifty years. Has and arrival schedules. They also need to
this revolution arrived in schools, and in know the weight of their luggage unless
math education? Most students now own a they want to risk some hefty baggage
computer with an Internet connection. surcharges. Once on board, they might
This is used for games, chatting, text enjoy some common aviation-related math
processing and surfing, but do they use the such as speed, altitude and flying time; 3)
computer for mathematics? Are At School and Work, students can’t avoid
mathematical modeling (ambitious math -- most take it every day. However,
problem solving) or algorithmic thinking even in history and English classes they
(expressing mathematics in such a way may need to know a little math. Whether
that the computer can handle it) taught at looking at time expanses of decades,
school? There is much that can be done centuries or eras or calculating how they’ll
here, in curricula, in textbooks and in bring that B in English to an A, they’ll
everyday life at school. need some basic math skills (Wells, 1997;
Bantam, 1998).
Even those suffering from math-related
anxieties or phobias cannot escape its Jobs in business and finance may
everyday presence in their lives. From require sophisticated knowledge of how to
home to school to work and places in- read profit and earning statements or how
between, math is everywhere. Whether to decipher graph analyses. However,
using measurements in a recipe, or even hourly earners will need to know if
deciding if half a tank of gas will make the their working hours times their rate of pay
destination, we all use math. It is a good accurately reflects their paychecks; 4) At
idea, therefore, for teachers and parents of the Store, whether buying coffee or a car,
reluctant math learners to use real world basic principles of math are in play.
examples to ignite a spark of practical Purchasing decisions require some
interest, such as:1) At Home, some understanding of budgets and the cost and
students aren't even out of bed before affordability of items from groceries to
encountering math. Setting an alarm and houses. Short-term decisions may mean

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only needing to know cash-at-hand, but How can math be so universal? First,
bigger purchases may require knowledge human beings didn't invent math
of interest rates and amortization charts. concepts; we discovered them. Also, the
Finding a mortgage may be much different language of math is numbers, not English
than choosing a place to have lunch, but or German or Russian. If math well versed
they both cost money and require math; 5) in this language of numbers, it can help to
Pastimes, even off-time can be math time. make important decisions and perform
Baseball fans know a lot about statistics, everyday tasks. Math can help to shop
whether they’re considering basic win-loss wisely, buy the right insurance, remodel a
ratios, batting averages or pitchers' earned- home within a budget, understand
run-averages. Football fans know about population growth, or even bet on the
yardage gains and passing stats. And horse with the best chance of winning the
individual athletes, whether runners, race. In developing an awareness of
bikers, sailors or hikers, often have their mathematical concepts to habits, students
own ways of charting their progress, from must engage their concept skills first.
time to mileage to elevation (Blatner, 1997; Some concepts lend themselves to
Brookhart, 1998). ‘visualization’, creating a mental image to
represent a mathematical relationship. The
II. METHODS concept of proportion is a good example.
In this special issue on Mathematics for A student may have a difficult time
Everyday Life, it presents a selection of interpreting proportion through words
mathematical projects that are in some and verbal explanation, but being able to
way relevant, directly or indirectly, to visualize the relationship (e.g., the number
everyday lives. It is take place in math of boys to girls in the class, the ratio of
education subject in Teacher Training and eaten slices in a pizza) may greatly
Education Faculty at The University of enhance his/her understanding of
Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, Indonesia. proportion as a concept. Here are some
Authors start with projects that have concepts to help students develop and
applications of math and continue with the strengthen they use for daily activities in
closely related topic of concept math. Then life: Exponents, exponents are a shorthand
go on to the timely topic of concepts of way to show how many times a number,
math (exponents, multiplying & dividing called the base, is multiplied times itself. A
integers, multiplying decimals, and number with an exponent is said to be
percent), the application of which are "raised to the power" of that exponent. An
immediately felt when the students face in exponent tells students how many times
cooking by numbers, home decorating, the base number is used as a factor. A base
populating growth, saving & credit, and of five raise to the second power is called
playing to win. It presents four projects in "five squared" and means "five times five."
home, restaurant, school or college, and Five raised to the third power is called
bank. In the section on society it touchs "five cubed" and means "five times five
upon topics like cooking recipe, decorating times five." The base can be any sort of
a house, populating, account saving, and number--a whole number, a decimal
probability issues. number, or a fraction can all be raised to a
power. These are mistakes that students
III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION often make when dealing with exponents :
A. RESULT a) Do not multiply the base and the
exponent. 26 is not equal to 12, it's 64; b)

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The multiplication rule only applies to When students divide two integers with
expressions with the same base. Four the same sign, the result is always positive.
squared times two cubed is not the same Just divide the absolute values and make
as 8 raised to the power two plus three. the answer positive.
Positive ÷ positive = positive
Negative ÷ negative = positive
When students divide two integers with
different signs, the result is always negative.
Just divide the absolute values and make
Figure 1. Multiplication mistake in exponents the answer negative.
c) The multiplication rule applies just to Positive ÷ negative = negative
the product, not to the sum of two numbers Negative ÷ positive = negative
Multiplying decimals, to multiply decimal
numbers are: 1) multiply the numbers just
as if they were whole numbers: (a) line the
numbers on the right (do not align the
decimal points); (b) starting on the right,
multiply each digit in the top number by
each digit in the bottom number, just as
Figure 2. Multiplication for sum of two numbers
with whole numbers; (c) add the products;
Multiplying and dividing integers, to 2)place the decimal point in the answer by
multiply or divide signed integers, always starting at the right and moving a number
multiply or divide the absolute values and of places equal to the sum of the decimal
use these rules to determine the sign of the places in both numbers multiplied. For
answer. When students multiply two example is:
integers with the same signs, the result is
always positive. Just multiply the absolute
values and make the answer positive.
Positive x positive = positive
Negative x negative = positive
When students multiply two integers with Figure 3. Multiplying decimals’ example
different signs, the result is always In this problem, students must use their
negative. Just multiply the absolute values estimating skills as well as their
and make the answer negative. multiplying skills.
Positive x negative = negative
Negative x positive = negative

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Figure 4. One multiplying decimals’ problem

Percent, means "out of 100." Students itself. Two hundred percent of a number is
can use the percent symbol (%) as a handy twice that number.
way to write a fraction with a common 100% 𝑜𝑓 50 = 50
denominator of 100. For example, instead 200% 𝑜𝑓 50 = 2 𝑥 50 = 100
of saying "8 out of every 100 professional After students have learned about math
basketball players are female," students concept (exponents, multiplying and dividing
can say "8% of professional basketball integers, multiplying decimals, and percent)
players are female." A percent can always that use for their daily activity in life. The
be written as a decimal, and a decimal can project explores how math can help
be written as a percent, by moving the students in their daily lives. In this section,
decimal point two places to the right like math can be a language of numbers
this: through common situations, such as
playing games or cooking. Put decision-
making skills to the test by deciding
Figure 5. Example for decimal moving to whether buying or leasing a new car, and
percent predict how much money they can save
for retirement.
Students use the percent symbol (%) Cooking by numbers
to express percent. Percents are used Not all students are chefs, but all
everywhere in real life, so students will students are all eaters. Most of them need
need to understand them well. Here are to learn how to follow a recipe at some
three ways to write the same thing: point. To create dishes with good flavor,
15% = 15/100 = 0.15 consistency, and texture, the various
Fifteen percent is the same as the ingredients must have a kind of
fraction 15/100 and the decimal 0.15. They relationship to one another. For instance,
all simply mean "fifteen out of a hundred." to make cookies that both look and taste
A percent can always be written as a like cookies, they need to make sure use
decimal, and a decimal can be written as a the right amount of each ingredient. Add
percent, like this: too much flour and their cookies will be
0.85 = 85% solid as rocks. Add too much salt and
We can find any percent of a given they'll taste terrible.
number by changing the percent to a
decimal and multiplying. One hundred Ratios: Relationships between quantities
percent of a number is just the number

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That ingredients have relationships to proportion exists when students have 2
each other in a recipe is an important equal ratios, such as 2:4 and 4:8. Two
concept in cooking. It's also an important unequal ratios, such as 3:16 and 1:3, don't
math concept. In math, this relationship result in a proportion. The ratios must be
between 2 quantities is called a ratio. If a equal. Going back to the cookie recipe,
recipe calls for 1 egg and 2 cups of flour, how will students calculate how much
the relationship of eggs to cups of flour is 1 more of each ingredient they'll need if
to 2. In mathematical language, that students want to make 9 dozen cookies
relationship can be written in two ways: instead of 3 dozen? How many cups of
1⁄2 or 1:2. Both of these express the ratio of flour will need? How many eggs? they'll
eggs to cups of flour: 1 to 2. If the chefs need to set up a proportion to make sure
mistakenly alter that ratio, the results may the ratios right.
not be edible. 1 𝑐𝑢𝑝 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑢𝑟 3 𝑑𝑜𝑧𝑒𝑛
×
𝑥 𝑐𝑢𝑝𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑢𝑟 9 𝑑𝑜𝑧𝑒𝑛
Working with proportion It can be read this proportion as "1 cup
All recipes are written to serve a certain of flour is to 3 dozen as x cups of flour is to
number of students or yield a certain 9 dozen." To figure out what x is (or how
amount of food. It might come across a many cups of flour the chef will need in
cookie recipe that makes 2 dozen cookies, the new recipe), they'll multiply the
for example. What if students only want 1 numbers like this:
dozen cookies? What if students want 4
dozen cookies? Understanding how to 𝑥 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠 3 = 1 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠 9
increase or decrease the yield without
spoiling the ratio of ingredients is a 3𝑥 = 9
valuable skill for any cook. Let's say
students have a mouth-watering cookie Now all chef have to do is find out the
recipe as the image below: value of x. to do that, divide both sides of
the equation by 3. The result is 𝑥 = 3. To
extend the recipe to make 9 dozen cookies,
they will need 3 cups of flour. What if
make 12 dozen cookies? Four dozen?
Seven-and-a-half dozen? Set up the
proportion above, regardless of how much
they wanted to increase the recipe.

Home decorating
What does math have to do with
home decorating? Most home decorators
Figure 6. Students’ experiment for making cookie need to work within a budget. But in order
This recipe will yield 3 dozen to figure out what students will spend,
cookies. If students want to make 9 dozen they first have to know what they need.
cookies, they will have to increase the How will they know how many rolls of
amount of each ingredient listed in the wallpaper to buy if they don't calculate
recipe. They will also need to make sure how much wall space they have to cover?
that the relationship between the Understanding some basic geometry can
ingredients stays the same. To do this, they help they stick to their budget.
will need to understand proportion. A

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Figuring area: Squares and rectangles 5 feet wide, so it has an area of 35 square
Imagine students are planning to feet. Deducting the area of the bathroom
buy new carpeting for home. They are from the total area (264 minus 35) leaves
going to put down carpeting in the living students with 229 square feet to carpet.
room, bedroom, and hallway, but not in
the bathroom. They could try to guess at Figuring area: Circles
how much carpet they might need to cover Calculating how much carpet will
these rooms, but better off figuring out need is a fairly simple task if home has
exactly what it need. To determine how only square or rectangular rooms. But
much carpet will need, use this simple what if have a circular alcove at the end of
formula: one room? Geometry comes to the rescue
again with a handy formula:
𝐴 = 𝐿×𝑊 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2
In English, this formula means "area
Or in other words, "area equals length equals pi times the radius squared." A
times width." This formula is used to circle's radius is one half of its diameter or
determine the area of a rectangle or one half of what get if measure all the way
square. In the floor plan below, all of the across its widest part. "Squaring"
floor space (as well as the walls and something means multiply it by itself. Pi is
ceilings) is made up of squares or a number that roughly equals 3.14159.
rectangles, so this formula will work for
figuring the area students need to carpet.

Figure 8. Home’s decorating


If living room has a semi-circular
Figure 7. Home’s decorating alcove as shown in the floor plan above, it
Start by figuring the total area of the need to use this additional equation to
floor plan. When it done, deduct the area figure out its area. To figure the radius of
of the bathroom, since it is not want to alcove, the number it need to plug into the
carpet that room. To figure out the total equation, divide its diameter in half. Its
area of the floor plan, need to know the diameter is the same as the width of the
total length and width. The total length of living room: 12 feet. Half of that is its
the floor plan shown above is 12 feet plus radius: 6 feet. Let’s plug in the numbers:
10 feet, or 22 feet. The total width is 7 feet
plus 5 feet, or 12 feet. Plug these numbers 𝐴 = 3.14159 × (6 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 × 6 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡)
into equation to get the total area of the 𝐴 = 113 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡
floor plan. (𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡)
𝐴 = 22 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 × 12 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡
𝐴 = 264 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 If the alcove were a complete circle, it
The total area of floor plan is 264 would have an area of 113 square feet.
square feet. Now need to figure out the Because it's a half circle, its area is half of
area of the bathroom so deduct it from the that, or 56.5 square feet. Adding 56.5
total area. The bathroom is 7 feet long and square feet to the rest of the floor plan's

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area of 229 square feet gives total area to can't. Any population of living creatures is
carpet: 285.5 square feet. Using geometry, constrained by the availability of food,
water, land, or other important resources.
Year Population Once those resources are depleted, a
population won't continue to grow
1700 600.000.000 exponentially. It will plateau, or even
decline, as a result of disease or
1800 900.000.000
malnutrition. Unlike calculating interest,
1900 1.500.000.000 calculating population growth is an
imprecise business.
2000 6.000.000.000
Table 1. World Population
it can buy exactly the amount of carpet’s
need. To arrive at a reasonable estimate of
how the world's population will grow in
Populating growth the next 50 years, look at birth and death
In the last few centuries, the number rates (the rates at which students are being
of students living on Earth has increased born and dying in any given period). If
many times over. By the year 2000, there birth and death rates stayed the same
will be 10 times more students on Earth across the years in all parts of the world,
than there were 300 years ago. How can population growth could be figured with a
population grow so fast? Think of a family fairly simple formula much like the one
tree. At the top are 2 parents, and beneath used to figure compound interest. Birth
them the children they had. Listed beneath and death rates aren't constant across
those children are the children they had, countries and through time, however.
and so on and so on, down through each Disease or disaster can cause death rates to
generation. As long as the family members increase for a certain period. A booming
continue to reproduce, the family tree economy might mean higher birth rates for
continues to increase in size, getting larger a given year.
with each passing generation. This same The rate of Earth's population
basic idea applies to the world's growth is slowing down. Throughout the
population. 1960s, the world's population was growing
at a rate of about 2% per year. By 1990, that
Exponential growth: How fast will it grow?
rate was down to 1.5%, and by the year
Population grows in the same way
2015, it's expected to drop to 1%. Family
that money grows when it's left to
planning initiatives, an aging population,
compound interest in a bank. With money,
and the effects of diseases such as AIDS
growth comes through accumulating
are some of the factors behind this rate
interest upon interest. The interest
decrease. Even at these very low rates of
payments accumulate eventually earn
population growth, the numbers are
interest, increasing money. With
staggering. By 2015, despite a low
population growth, new members of the
expected 1% growth rate, experts estimate
population eventually produce other new
there will be 7 billion students on the
members of the population. The
planet. By 2050, there may be as many as
population increases exponentially as time
10 billion students living on Earth. Can the
passes. A crucial difference between
planet support this population?
money and population is that money can
increase without limits while population

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Saving and credit: Understanding the friend for one month and charged her 1%
basics interest ($3) at the end of the month,
students'd be dealing with simple interest.
Many students collect only 1 to 3% Compound interest is a little different.
interest on money in a savings account With compound interest, the money
while simultaneously paying rates as high students earn in interest becomes part of
as 18 to 20% on credit card balances. Over the principal, and also starts to earn
time, this can mean some pretty heavy interest. For example we can see as the
losses. With some math smarts and an figure below:
understanding of simple and compound
interest, manage the way their money
grows (and ideally keep it from shrinking).
The principles of simple and compound
interest are the same whether calculating
the earnings from a savings account or the
fees being accumulated on a credit card.
Figure 9. One example from students for
Paying a little attention to these principles
compound interest
could mean big payoffs over time.
When students put money in a
Compound interest is what makes
savings account, the bank pays according
credit cards and loans so difficult to pay
to what they deposit. In effect, the bank is
off. The rules of interest are the same ones
paying students for the privilege of
that increase studentsr savings over time,
"borrowing" their money. The same is true
only with credit and debit, they're in the
for the interest they pay on a loan from the
bank's favor. With some rates as high as
bank or the money they "borrow" from a
21%, collecting interest on credit card
credit card. Interest is expressed as a rate,
loans can be a lucrative business.
such as 3% or 18%. The dollar amount of
the interest they earn on a savings account
Playing to win
is figured by multiplying the money they
Each year, millions of students travel
deposit (called the principal) by the rate of
to casinos hoping they will come away
interest. If students have $100 in an
richer. Many more students visit their local
account that pays only 1% interest, only
supermarket each day to bet with lottery
earn $1 in interest. If students shop around
cards. Students play the stock market, join
for an account that pays 5% interest, they
in the office football pool, and meet with
will earn five times that amount. In
friends on the weekend for a game of
banking, interest is calculated and added
poker. Why do students invest this money
at the end of a certain time period. Savings
on chance? because students believe they
account that offers a 3% interest rate
can beat the odds. Mathematical principles
annually. At the end of each year, the bank
can tell more than whether it is possible to
multiplies the principal (the amount in the
win. They can tell how often likely to win.
account) by the interest rate of 3% to
The mathematical concept that deals with
compute what have earned in interest.
the chances of winning a lottery drawing
or a poker game is probability. Determine
Interest on interest: Compounding
the probability that a certain event (such as
There are two basic kinds of interest:
winning the lottery) will occur, make a
simple and compound. Simple interest is
better choice about whether to risk the
figured once. If students loaned $300 to a
odds.

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Determining probability measured and sometimes students need to
How do students determine multiply or divide to get the exact amount
probability? Let's say there are 12 socks in they need. Whatever they do in the kitchen
their dresser drawer. Five are red and 7 are requires math. Even just using the stove is
blue. If they were to close their eyes, reach basic math skills in action. Banking, can
into the drawer, and draw out 1 sock, what students imagine going to the bank and
is the probability that it would be a red not having any idea what they need to do
sock? Five of the 12 socks are red, so their or how to manage their finances. This will
chances of picking a red sock are 5 out of cause a huge disaster in their life, and they
12. They can set this up as a fraction or a will be bankrupt within hours. Decorating
percentage that expresses the probability home, whether students are painting,
of picking a red sock: 5⁄12 their chances of doing the flooring or just acquiring new
picking a red sock are 5 out of 12, or 5 furniture, they need math to make their
divided by 12, which is about 42%. Not sums add up. Everything they do inside or
bad, as odds go. outside of their home needs math skills.
From accessories to a new swimming pool
and putting in new lighting. Statistics,
every basic thing students use in life
consist of history. That means statistics,
taking into account the past and the future,
and keeping record of what has been done.
Without statistics they won’t know what
worked and what didn’t. it helps students
to find balance and structure.
There are so many advantages of math
concepts that can students use in their
Figure 10. Students example for probability
daily activities in life. Many applications
that authors shown above are from math
Even if students don't frequent casinos,
concepts. These concept maps are added to
they probably play the odds all the time.
as further research in the respective areas
Students might invest in the stock market.
are conducted: 1) Probability, is
They might buy auto, health, and life
surrounding life. It underpins both
insurance as a hedge against the costs of
statistical investigations and statistical
damage or injury. In many cases in which
literacy. While the main thrust is on
they are trying to predict the future, they
quantitative probability, qualitative
are using the mathematics of probability.
probability is also addressed. Key
probability ideas and common
B. DISCUSSION
misconceptions are also covered; 2) Basic
Math is a part of students’ lives, facts, this looks at the usual addition,
whether clean the house, make supper or subtraction, multiplication, and division
mow the lawn. Wherever students go, basic facts. It also extends these to larger
whatever they do, they are using math numbers, and to fractions, decimals and
daily without even realizing it. It just percentages as well. Students who have a
comes naturally. In the kitchen, baking good vocabulary of basic facts are able to
and cooking requires some mathematical concentrate on other aspects of
skill as well. Every ingredient has to be mathematical problems; 3) Algebraic

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patterns, the study of patterns is a key part variability. Probability is a way of
of algebraic thinking. It is important that describing and quantifying how things
students are able to recognise and analyse vary. So probability is not an end in itself,
patterns and make generalisations about or something that only helps students to
them. Patterns can be created from shapes, gamble, or play games of chance. It is a
sounds, colours or numbers. They can be tool that helps students to investigate the
visual or spatial, repeating or growing. real world we live in, and to respond
Students can continue a given pattern, find critically to other students’ statistical
missing elements, identify general rules, or claims from investigations. Probability
make up their own pattern; 4) Fractional investigations also are one way to build up
thinking, this provides a concept map of a feel for variability and distribution.
teaching and learning issues for fractions. There are two approaches to probability
It looks at partitioning, part-whole in this situation, such as: 1) The Classical
understanding of fractions, equivalence, or frequentist approach. These look at
and fractions as operators. Links to probabilities as the relative frequency of
relevant ARB resources are also provided; the occurrence of events. These are derived
5) Algebraic thinking, this concept map either from performing an experiment
highlights key areas of Algebraic thinking (where an experimental probability is
that influence students' ability to solve found) or from enumerating all possible
algebraic equations in later years. The outcomes (where the theoretical
concepts covered are equality, additive probability is derived). Probabilities are
identity, commutativity, and associativity. usually expressed as fractions or decimal
Probability is surrounding life. For numbers, but also are expressed as
example there is a 70% chance of rain, or percentages. The frequentist model covers
that a court case has been decided beyond discrete events (i.e. those with a set of
reasonable doubt (not with certainty you distinct outcomes, such as the number on a
may note). Scientists say that they are 95% dice) as well to situations where outcomes
confident that a new medicine is effective, are measurement (continuous) data such
or doctors tell us that there is only a small as areas (or angles) on a spinner; 2) The
chance of reacting negatively to a Bayesian approach assigns probabilities to
particular drug. It can be debated whether events that are based upon an individuals’
independence, probability, and chance degree of belief that something may
actually exists in the real world. Some happen. "The chance of rain today is 70%"
students claim that given sufficient fits into this category. This is not just the
information that everything can be exactly weather forecaster’s blind faith, but their
predicted or specified. They are called informed belief, and prior experience. A
"determinists". Other people claim that the gambler may think "that horse has a good
laws of probability do govern at least some chance of winning" and go and place a bet
physical events. These people follow what on it.
is known as "probabilism". Whatever of Basic facts, when students think of basic
these two viewpoints is held, probability is facts, possibly the first thing that springs to
a highly effective way of modeling many mind are our “times tables”. But there is
real life situations. far more to them than this. Students
Probability underpins the other two should memorize simpler facts, like our
sub-strands of Statistics in the curriculum. addition and subtraction facts. Often these
Real-life data is variable, and statistics is have been ignored. Just maybe 7 × 8 may
the tool to help students cope with this pop into mind just a tad more

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automatically than 7 + 8. The main ones are many ways in which people use math
encountered are the whole-number basic during the day today living. Below are
facts, and in particular addition and some ways in which people use math in
multiplication, and their close cousins daily life. To begin with, students need to
subtraction and division. Growing number be able to organize and count their money;
of instantly recognizable or retrievable as well as subtract, divide and multiply.
facts into basic math factual knowledge This is a skill everyone needs to have in
(basic facts). For example, it is highly order to survive. Every day students visit
useful to instantly equate the fact that ½, supermarkets to buy items, without math’s
0.5, and 50% are alternative knowledge, they would not be able to
representations of the same amount. know if they have been given the right
Understanding and strategies are the most change. Some activities in class require
important aspects for basic facts, but this basic math’’s knowledge for them to be
does not exclude the role of memorization. done effectively. For example, a person
Each one helps the other. Start with needs to work out the amount of materials
strategies, authors has shown that it is required in order to decorate a house. One
inefficient to try and remember facts which has to be aware of the measurement, space
do not have a firm meaning to the student. and shape of the area he is working on to
There is little point trying to get a student ensure that he or she has purchased the
to learn their times-tables if they have no required amount of materials. This helps
understanding of multiplication. Students in ensuring that you do not run out of
should also have a strategy, or preferably a essential materials before the job is
range of strategies that they understand finished or do not have too much left over.
and can use to obtain the result that we In the field of architecture or engineering,
want them to eventually memorize. Basic it is essential to have more advance math’s
facts should not just be rote-learnt in knowledge. Working on geometry and
isolation from understanding. There is algebra helps in reasoning skills and assist
little point knowing what 6 + 7 or 7 × 8 is, if later in life to solve technical problems.
the student has no concept of addition or Several other jobs also require workers to
of multiplication. Authors need the joint apply math, such as building and
foci on developing understanding as well construction, scientist, plumber,
as memory. electrician, accountant and even rally
Plenty of practice, Doing a wide variety drivers. Jobs which do not use math every
of work that aims to build and enhance day still require some basic knowledge of
strategies, helps reinforce procedures, and mathematics to complete certain tasks.
understanding of mathematics. Practicing Some students might be against this , but it
strategies also reinforces and continues the is advisable for everyone to learn basic
process of memorization. Move on to mathematic skills. Whether believe or not,
memorize the basic facts, Memorizing sports do rely greatly on math. Managers,
means that the student has fast recall players and even supporters ought to have
without returning to any strategy. This some basic math knowledge. The math’s
should only come after the students concept can apply when one wants to
understand the operation, and have some comment about the game, the player’s
strategies for performing it. analysis and much more. Referees and
For daily life, students would be quite coaches make calls which are based on
strenuous without math knowledge. There time, statistics and percentage all the past

JSSH P-ISSN:2579-9088 Vol. 2 Nomor 2, September 2018 | Wanda Nugroho Yanuarto 265 – 278 ------- 277
game played and players, their failure and regularly so that they can master the
success rates can only be worked out using practical processes of math.
some aspects of math. As a researcher, examining these
questions has suggested some answer but
IV. CONCLUSION has raised many more questions. How
applicable is the teaching and learning
The conclusions of math in daily life
activity based on a math concept to habits.
are the answers to math problems that all
How does the implementation of math
use in the course of our daily lives. For
concept to habits in Math Education
example, figuring out how much a drink
Students in Muhammadiyah University of
and a meal at a restaurant will cost is a
Purwokerto? Finally, I hope this research
conclusion that helps someone to decide
will stimulate others to continue the
whether or not they can afford to order
research, verify, modify, or apply it.
what they want at a dining establishment.
Figuring out how much ten per cent off is
on a pair of pants is another conclusion
that assists a consumer with making a
solid decision about plunking down their
hard-earned cash and buying the garment. REFERENCES
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