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Using your math skills to plan your future!

WHY MATH MATTERS

NUMERACY

2

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (%)

ALL WORKERS 6.1%

You’ve probably had this conversation with yourself a million times, “When I grow up, I want to

be a ___________.” The answer has most likely changed many times over the years, but that

blank space is completely normal, especially considering some of the most popular jobs, like app

developer or social media programmer, didn’t even exist 15 years ago!

Plotting a Future in a Changing World

And things will continue to change— by the time you graduate high school and eventually enter the workforce:

Unemployment/Average Earning Power2

The average annual wage in

the U.S. will increase by 5%1

MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS ($)

ALL WORKERS $827

Jobs will require a greater use

of computer- and technology-

based applications

More entry-level positions

will require a bachelor’s

degree or higher

Manual labor needs will drop

due to increased automation

2.2 1,623Doctoral Degree

2.3 1,714Professional Degree

3.4 1,329Master’s Degree

4.0 1,108Bachelor’s Degree

5.4 777Associate’s Degree

7.0 727Some College, No Degree

7.5 651High School Diploma

11.0 472Less than a High School Diploma

1 SOURCE: TRADINGECONOMICS.COM | U.S. BUREAU OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

2 SOURCE: UNITED STATES OF LABOR: BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

DATA MINER PAGE 4

CHEF PAGE 8

PHYSICIAN PAGE 12

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER

PAGE 6

ANIMATOR PAGE 10

INTERIOR DESIGNER

PAGE 14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

8 of 20 6 of 20

85,000

Exciting Developments on the Horizon Most of you log into Facebook®, Twitter®,

and Instagram™ on a daily basis. Have you ever

considered how math—through technology—will

be changing your lives for the better?

Math awareness can play a key role in finding a

rewarding career in a competitive job market. Every

video game you play, website you visit, and app you

download are parts of industries that rely on young

adults to provide a creative and innovative spark—

and who are good with math skills!

Believe it or not, many of the job examples

that follow are based on things you’ve already

learned—or will learn in the next few years. Read on

to learn about how you can make math matter for

you…in the real world!

LinkedIn’s Most Promising Jobs of 2017 3 :

Number of careers in the high-tech industry

Number of careers in the medical field

Number of daily postings for ‘software engineer’

</>

3Source: Shapero, Daniel. LinkedIn Data Reveals the Most Promising Jobs of 2017. LinkedIn Corporation.

4

When shopping online, have you ever noticed that sidebar

with “suggested items” that are very similar to the ones you’ve

already viewed? That doesn’t happen by coincidence; it’s all part

of the job responsibilities of a market research data miner.

Market research companies hire analysts to review information

gathered from technology companies about people’s

shopping habits.

MATH COMES TO LIFE!Data miners use elements of algebra to discover patterns and

sales trends. They use statistics and data from surveys to build a

unique customer profile and provide solutions, like you will learn

to do in your high school math class, to chart and interpret data.

Companies use this data to get a better understanding of what

buyers are looking for and make those products available. So

both the company selling items and the person looking to buy

can get matched up more easily.

Careers in Math: Market Research Data Miner

6

Just about every part of your world is linked to technology in

some way. You use it to post on social media, buy a cool new set

of kicks, browse the latest news, and eventually to submit college

applications. And at the center of this technological revolution is

one all-important position: the software developer.

Software and app development are some of the most in-demand

positions for students looking to find a career with staying power.

Some of the biggest names in the history of the tech industry,

from Bill Gates to Mark Zuckerberg, are software developers.

MATH COMES TO LIFE!Software developers work in a virtual world, using various

programs to write detailed instruction that’s coded into the

program to tell the computer exactly what to do.

It’s the same concept that helps bring Minecraft® and other

popular video games to life. Each matrix simulates reality by using

equations and formulas to establish a particular set of rules that

allows the virtual world to take on a life of its own.

Careers in Math: Software Developer

MATRIX: A collection of numbers,

symbols, or expressions,

arranged in rows

and columns.

M =a + b a - b

a - b a + b

8

Believe it or not, good number sense can actually turn a good

cook . . . into a top chef! Does it really matter if you use an exact

measurement or not?

A ‘pinch’ of sugar or a ‘dash’ of salt could make or break your

culinary masterpiece. That’s why kitchen management depends

on several mathematical practices: measurement, percentage,

proportion, estimation, and time (not to be confused with the

leafy herb “thyme”) all factor into making the perfect dish.

MATH COMES TO LIFE!A chef uses the same math principles that you and your fellow

students first encountered in elementary school. Think about

it… in first grade you probably learned how to use a delicious-

sounding “pie” chart to section things off into halves, fourths, and

quarters. This is where fractions, speak louder than words.

In third grade, you most likely learned about standard units of

liquid measurement: teaspoons, cups, liters, gallons, etc. Eventually

your knowledge of fractions will grow to the point where you

can convert different-sized measurement units with ease—like

understanding that four quarts equals one gallon.

Careers in Math: Chef

Unit Conversions

3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon

4 cups = 1 quart

4 quarts = 1 gallon

10

Ever wonder who dreams up the amazing visual effects you see

in movies, on TV, and in video games? Multimedia artists and

animators use 3D modeling techniques rooted in geometry to

create these effects.

MATH COMES TO LIFE!Multimedia artists and animators use geometry skills, particularly

their knowledge of shapes and patterns, as a base to make real-world

scenarios come to life on screen. In reality, it’s not much different

from what you will learn in your high school geometry class.

Animators work inside a two- or three-dimensional coordinate

plane. They use software that translates a shape’s position in space

and time into a set of numbers. Every animation, from people

walking to planets exploding, is a result of changing those numbers.

Multimedia animation is popular field that’s sure to keep growing.

Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2014 to 2024 due to

increased demand for animation effects in video games, movies,

and television.

Careers in Math: Animator

Play by the rules of proportion! Each character’s head, arms, legs, and body, all have their own

related rules for how they move in virtual space and time.

Animators need to pay close attention to proportion: not only

should body parts be proportional

to each other, but the entire

person in the foreground

should be proportional

to the background.

12

How does math come into play as doctors make their rounds

visiting patients? One important way is figuring out how much

medicine to give a patient.

If the weight of a patient is only known in pounds, doctors need

to convert that measurement to kilograms, then find the amount

of milligrams for the prescription. For patient safety, it is always

important to deliver medicine in correct and accurate amounts.

MATH COMES TO LIFE!Physicians use comparative reasoning to analyze data in order

to diagnose whether or not a patient is at a high, medium, or

lowrisk compared to an overall sample population. In real life

that could mean deciding whether heart or breathing rates are

within normal range.

Physicians must also have the ability to understand how

“mathematical theory” works in the real world. For instance, viewing

patient charts is like analyzing graphs and representations.

By spotting patterns of association in data they can figure out what’s

making someone ill.

Careers in Math: Physician

14

For interior designers, it’s not just about choosing fabrics or

different patterns: every minute of their work day is about

making sure that everything is to scale and in proportion.

MATH COMES TO LIFE!Before they even start working in an actual space, interior

designers use architectural blueprints to come up with an overall

plan for the space. They use basic math principles like adding,

subtracting, multiplying, and dividing in order to calculate

quantities like cost (for budget) and length (for materials).

For example, the total area of the floor plan must be measured

accurately so that the correct amount of carpet, tile, or laminate

can be purchased. Geometric representations of the finished

product are also created so designers—and clients—can get a

true sense of scale for the final design.

Once an interior designer is ready to add the finishing touches, a

mix of middle school algebra and geometry helps bring the room

to life. The Pythagorean Theorem is used to determine unknown

side lengths in right triangles, which really comes in handy when

hanging artwork or positioning furniture for maximum effect.

Careers in Math: Interior Designer

Total area

Pythagorean Theorem

length x width

a2 + b2 = c2

GOAL

Connect with us:

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Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. Twitter® is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc. Instagram and the Camera logos are trademarks of Instagram, LLC in the United States and elsewhere. Minecraft® is a registered trademark of Mojang Synergies AB Corporation. HMH® and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt® are registered trademarks of

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Teaching Companion

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Using your math skills to plan your future!

WHY MATH MATTERS

NUMERACY

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Mathematical awareness is an important skill that is encountered in virtually every aspect of life.

The career outlook that your students will face upon entering the workforce may look completely

different from what it is now. Careers such as social media manager, cloud computing services, and

app developer barely existed ten years ago but are rapidly outpacing manual labor needs.

The Why Math Matters eBook is designed to provide your students with an overview of current

career trends that involve math and number sense, and hopefully encourage students who may be

struggling with math’s relevance to real life!

This Teaching Companion to the Student eBook includes expanded Math Comes to Life! sections

for more specifics on how math is used the in the different careers mentioned, and the grades

where the mathematical concepts are introduced. There’s also performance task activities to help

spark conversation about careers.

A Note to the Teacher

PHYSICIAN PAGE 7

ANIMATOR PAGE 6

INTERIOR DESIGNER

PAGE 8

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DATA MINER PAGE 3 SOFTWARE

DEVELOPER PAGE 4

</>

CHEF PAGE 5

At the most basic level, data mining involves the use of statistical data from surveys to build a

unique customer profile. Graphs, charts, tables, and other algorithms—although hidden from

consumer view—paint a complete picture that establishes patterns and correlations that enable

more effective marketing.

In addition to using statistics to predict behavior and future trends, a data miner uses elements

of algebra to discover hidden or overlooked patterns as well as sales trends, then uses that

information to provide solutions that will ultimately generate increased sales.

The mathematical processes used by a data miner are quite similar to what students encounter

in a high school math class to chart and interpret data. When data is analyzed from different

perspectives it can be summarized into useful information, providing consumers with additional

options that are predicted based on their existing preferences.

MATH COMES TO LIFE!

Data Miner

RELATED MATH INTRODUCED IN High School

SKILLS REQUIRED • Statistics and Probability

• Functions

• Algebra

4

Software developers work extensively in a virtual world, using various programs to create a

matrix algorithm, which is a detailed instruction that’s coded into the program to basically tell the

computer exactly what to do.

It’s the same concept that helps bring Minecraft® and other popular video games to life. Each

matrix simulates reality by using equations and formulas to establish a particular set of rules that

allows the virtual world to take on a life of its own.

Software development uses several principles introduced in eighth grade. Programmers use

mathematical functions such as graph plotting, binary coding, and algebraic expressions to assign

exactly one input to each output command.

MATH COMES TO LIFE!

Software Developer

RELATED MATH INTRODUCED IN • Grade 6

• Grade 7

• Grade 8

SKILLS REQUIRED • Compute fluently with multi-digit

decimals and integers

• Use variables to represent quantities

• Understand function as a rule

Elementary students begin to learn numerical and fractional concepts on a daily basis. First graders

already know how to partition whole shapes into halves, fourths, and quarters—perfect for slicing

and dicing a fruit medley.

In third grade, students can accurately measure and estimate liquid volumes using standard units of

measurement: teaspoons, cups, liters, gallons, etc. By fifth grade, students use fractions to convert

different-sized measurement units within a given measurement system, and use those conversions

in solving real-world problems.

MATH COMES TO LIFE!

Chef

RELATED MATH INTRODUCED IN • Grade 1

• Grade 3

• Grade 5

SKILLS REQUIRED • Partition whole shapes into halves, fourths, and

quarters

• Measure and estimate liquid volumes of objects

• Convert among different-sized measurement unitswithin a given measurement system and solverelated word problems

6

Multimedia artists and animators utilize the complete number system to find points on a two-

dimensional coordinate plane and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of that situation.

Beyond that, animators compose a variety of two- and three-dimensional figures to create a

composite shape. Ratios and proportions play a very important role here: for an animator, it is

critical that the characters in the foreground are in equal proportion with those in the background.

Multimedia animation is an established field that’s becoming ever more popular. Employment in this

sector is projected to grow 6% from 2014 to 2024. This growth will be due to increased demand for

animation effects in video games, movies, and television.

MATH COMES TO LIFE!

Animator

RELATED MATH INTRODUCED IN • Grades 1–2

• Grades 5–7

• Grades 9–12

SKILLS REQUIRED • Compose new shapes from composite shapes

• Interpret points on the coordinate plane

• Apply proportional reasoning in the context of asituation

Comparative reasoning, a skill generally learned in sixth grade, allows physicians to analyze data in

order to diagnose whether or not a patient is at a high, medium, or low risk compared to an overall

sample population. For example, identifying whether heart or breathing rates are within normal

range is just one of many tasks they routinely perform.

Much of their work requires intense research, and—for safety reasons—it’s often necessary to practice

their techniques via 3D modeling before moving on to an actual patient. Using geometric principles,

doctors can observe two-dimensional results that result from operating on three-dimensional figures.

Physicians must also have the ability to understand how mathematical theory works in the real

world. When viewing patient charts, patterns of association can be seen in data by analyzing graphs

and representations to help support a particular diagnosis.

MATH COMES TO LIFE!

Physician

RELATED MATH INTRODUCED IN • Grade 6

• Grade 7

• Grade 8

SKILLS REQUIRED • Use rate reasoning to solve real-world problems

• Describe two-dimensional plane sections that result fromslicing three-dimensional figures

• Construct a graph to understand patterns of association;use the equation of a model, or interpret a two-way table

8

Before ever setting foot into his or her design space an interior designer typically works from

architectural blueprints to come up with an overall plan of action. This draws directly from math

principles that you first encountered in sixth grade: Fluently adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing

multi-digit decimals in order to calculate quantities like cost (for budget) and length (for materials).

The total area of the floor plan must be measured accurately so that the correct amount of carpet, tile,

or laminate can be purchased. Computer modeling then fills in the gaps by providing scale drawings of

the overall floor plan, including geometric representations that offer true context and scale.

Once an interior designer is ready to add the finishing touches, a mix of middle school algebra and

geometry helps bring the room to life. The Pythagorean Theorem is used to determine unknown side

lengths in right triangles, which really comes in handy when hanging artwork or positioning furniture

for maximum effect.

MATH COMES TO LIFE!

Interior Designer

RELATED MATH INTRODUCED IN • Grade 6

• Grade 7

• Grade 8

SKILLS REQUIRED • Fluently add, subtract, multiply, and divide

multi-digit decimals

• Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determineunknown side lengths in right triangles

Now that students have had a chance to see how math connects to so many fun and exciting careers, it’s time for them to put their skills to the test. We’ve included a short performance task that’s based on the information in they just reviewed in the Student eBook. Students will be playing the role of a Community Educator designing a career program guide for students like themselves.

PLAN A CAREER EDUCATION PROGRAMAppropriate for Grade 6

Students will: • Use proportional relationships to solve multistep percent problems

• Present numerical data in a graph and summarize the data using patterns,deviations, and measures of center

Directions 1. Pair up into small groups and review the information provided.

2. Design career programs for other teens by completing the table and creating agraph to interpret the data.

3. Explain the reasoning behind the work and reflect on which careers have themost potential.

4. Evaluate classmate(s) on how well they understood and completed the task.

Performance Activities

10

You are developing a program to educate teens about careers in the 21st century. Some increasingly popular jobs are given below. However, you must fill out the table and create a graph to interpret the data. Your manager thinks the percent increase should be used to decide which careers to educate teens about. What do you think?

Plan a Career Education Program Activity

Occupation Jobs in 2017

Jobs in 2018

Numeric Increase

Percent Increase

Data Miner 1,000 1,700 1,700-1000 = 700

700/1000 = 0.7 = 70%

Software Developer 3,000 4,650 1,650 55%

Chef 10,000 12,500 2,500 25%

Animator 300 327 27 9%

POPULAR 21 ST-CENTURY JOBS

Your Job: Community Educator

Your Task: Design career programs for teens

EXPLORE Use the information in the table to create a graph. For our example we use a bar graph.

Percent Increase80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%Software

DeveloperChef AnimatorData Miner

Numeric Increase3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0%Software

DeveloperChef AnimatorData Miner

ANALYZE What is more important, percent increase or numeric increase? Explain using the data.

EXPLAIN

REFLECT Which careers would your program focus on most?

WHY

EVALUATERate how well you and your partner understood and completed each part of the performance task.

Ranking ScaleNone [0] Limited [1] Partial [2] Thorough [3]

A: Accurately completed the table for projected occupations.

Me_____ Partner _____

B: Accurately completed the bar graphs to compare percent and numeric increases.

Me_____ Partner _____

C: Answered each question thoughtfully.

Me_____ Partner _____

EXTENDIf the number of jobs increases at a constant rate, in what year will the number of Chefs reach 13,300?

EXPLAIN

12

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