How Good are Your Math Skills?
Shock and surprise are often the responses I get when I tell my university peers that I studied maths at A-level. As a History student – and a female – it often doesn’t seem to compute that I chose to study a science alongside my humanities A-levels.
It certainly wasn’t due to any sort of passion for the subject: for me it was purely a tactical decision. Not only would maths be useful to me in boosting logical thinking and helping with everyday activities, it also looked more appealing to future employers.
Indeed, new statistics revealed by YouGov seem to have confirmed my decision, revealing that a third of adults want to improve their numeracy and everyday maths skills.
The survey, commissioned by National Numeracy, revealed a number of reasons why adults in the UK feel the need to improve their numeracy with 37 per cent stating that they wanted to manage their finances better.
Of the parents asked, 46 per cent indicated that their primary motive was a desire to better help their children with tasks such as homework.
Other reasons included improving activities such as cooking and DIY (26 per cent) and being able to better understand statistics in the media (25 per cent).
The importance of maths for everyday life is perhaps sometimes underestimated. Indeed, National Numeracy is pushing for greater awareness of the importance of numerical skills, particularly for personal finances.
Mike Ellicock, National Numeracy chief executive, said: “If you don’t understand the basic maths – for example, the concept of percentages – you are going to struggle to make good decisions about your money.”
Mark Rennision, group finance director of Nationwide Building Society, said: “Knowing your numbers isn’t just for the classroom; it’s a valuable skill that lasts a lifetime.
“Understanding what we spend and what we earn to a greater extent could be the difference between a balanced budget and an uphill money struggle.”
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