Maths is a subject that can feel abstract to many students, often leading them to wonder, “When will I ever use this in real life?” One powerful way to help your child excel in Maths is to bridge the gap between the classroom and everyday life by giving them real-life maths questions. These practical problems not only make maths more relatable but also strengthen problem-solving skills and boost confidence. Here’s why and how incorporating real-life maths questions into your child’s routine can make a big difference:
Why Real-Life Maths Questions Work
Develops Problem-Solving Skills
Maths places a strong emphasis on reasoning and problem-solving. Real-life scenarios require your child to think critically, apply multiple mathematical concepts, and work out practical solutions.
Makes Maths Relevant and Engaging
Real-life questions show students how maths applies to situations they encounter daily, from budgeting to planning a trip. When students see the relevance, they’re more likely to stay engaged and motivated.
You can do this at the shops of course- using add & subtract when buying multiple items and getting change.
You can do it on a car journey with distances and time.
You can also do this on a train journey.
Even using the 24 hour clock.
And this really is a true story!
British Rail!!
Here’s an example….
I was due to catch a train on Friday from Manchester Piccadilly to Wolverhampton.
The train was due at 20:30.
The train was an hour and twenty minutes late.
The train journey was supposed to take 70 minutes, but was further delayed by 20 minutes.
What time did I arrive in Wolverhampton?
You can change the time details to make this easier or harder- depending on your child’s age and ability.
You can also find the average speed of the train if you want to make this a GCSE question.
ie. speed =Distance/Time
