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Secondary education

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Original poster

When are fractions used in real life

73 replies

TeenTimesTwo · 05/02/2018 20:49

I was asked today by a y6 I'm helping when fractions are used in real life. I struggled to answer it.

Now, I know we often want basic use like 'a third off'.
I also obviously know about percentages, probability and ratios.

But when 'in real life' do you have to add fractions with different starting denominators, or multiply mixed numbers or whatever?

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 05/02/2018 21:35

Interesting that you will go for a gambling example but not a drugs oneWink

You could tell the kids that it is like going to the gym for their mind, a good work out.

Original poster
TeenTimesTwo · 05/02/2018 21:37

ps Noble. (re another thread on Primary. I saw a great example today of a y9 not using a calculator on a calculator paper and trying to do 37% or something by chunking and getting so confused they got it wrong. Loads or working out for 1 mark not got.)

OP posts:
Original poster
TeenTimesTwo · 05/02/2018 21:38

Gambling is legal (for adults). Drugs aren't.
Plus, I don't know anything about buying drugs.

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NewYearNiki · 05/02/2018 21:39

Law. Wills and probate, land law, etc.

Dividing up money and estates. Percentages often dont work and fractions are used, particularly when dividing an estate between many.

insomniac123 · 05/02/2018 21:39

I use it at work frequently- engineering field. But also at home daily - with helping with homework Grin

Original poster
TeenTimesTwo · 05/02/2018 21:39

You could tell the kids that it is like going to the gym for their mind, a good work out.

Is that drugs or complicated fractions questions?

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CookieDoughKid · 05/02/2018 21:40

I use it frequently for performance metrics and financial calculations at work. I work in a commercial function driving new business and need to show many types of ROI

Love51 · 05/02/2018 21:41

Working out everything for part time staff. How much will I get paid if I drop to 3 or 4 or 3.5 days. What will my annual leave entitlement be if I drop from 5 days to 3 in November and the leave year runs from 1st March?

Original poster
TeenTimesTwo · 05/02/2018 21:42

NewYear I like that one.

I shall divide my estate into 3 equal parts. One third to my beloved son, one to my beloved daughter. The final third shall be divided into 4, of which by said beloved daughter shall have 1 share and my 3 beloved cats one share each

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NewYearNiki · 05/02/2018 21:43

@TeenTimesTwo

Grin

Just try doing what you wrote with percentages. It doesn't work and why we use fractions.

Original poster
TeenTimesTwo · 05/02/2018 21:45

I once inherited 1/13 of an estate. Definitely couldn't do that with percentages.

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noblegiraffe · 05/02/2018 21:47

not using a calculator on a calculator paper

Argh! Bane of my life. Then they pick up the calculator and use it to work out 10%, 5% and so on. Angry

ShackUp · 05/02/2018 21:47

My mum taught me how to do long division this weekend (by multiplying). I'm 36 Grin

It's quite easy! I never learnt properly at school and I hate remainders

Butteredparsn1ps · 05/02/2018 21:49

mostly cooking - sharing cakes, pizza's etc.

Occasionally when I wash bedding - Sheet + 4 pillow cases sort of equals a duvet cover in my head at least.

When I'm running - quarter of the way, a third of the way, half way etc.

insomniac123 · 05/02/2018 21:54

@Butteredparsn1ps - yes to running! Good one!

BackforGood · 05/02/2018 21:54

Like long multiplication or division - I mean really who would do that on paper in real life?

Me Grin
Quite satisfying, and generally quicker than going to find a calculator or my phone.

Original poster
TeenTimesTwo · 05/02/2018 21:56

When I'm running - quarter of the way, a third of the way, half way etc.

I do that when swimming 1/30, 2/15, 1/10, 1/6 etc
But then I factorise the random 3 digit exit code at the pool too, just for the fun of it.

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Batteriesallgone · 05/02/2018 22:08

Speed calculations? Flight?

I’m sure I remember some link between fractions and awesome ways to travel (fast cars, planes, spaceships).

noblegiraffe · 05/02/2018 22:12

factorise the random 3 digit exit code at the pool too

Grin
When are fractions used in real life
SoTotallyOverThis · 05/02/2018 22:13

I use them all the time!

Dividing up restaurant bills with friends, working out my wages when working part time hours, baking and changing quantities, many jobs like engineering and science etc.

LemonysSnicket · 05/02/2018 22:17

Anything to do with statistics ...

LemonysSnicket · 05/02/2018 22:20

The whole point of school is to teach basics which can be extrapolated on... some kids will become physics professors,statisticians, or accountants, production line managers, product designers or bakers... not every child will use all of them but some will really need them and we have to try things to see what we like/ are good at

Original poster
TeenTimesTwo · 05/02/2018 22:20

noble Grin

SoTotally Most of your examples are 'easy' ones that I discounted in my OP. The others 'many jobs' are a bit too generic...

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TheMathsTrainee · 05/02/2018 22:22

If ‘real life’ means engineering, I.e. application of science and maths in real life, fractions are used all the time. It’s embedded.

Original poster
TeenTimesTwo · 05/02/2018 22:22

Lemony You are preaching to the converted here.

I think I'll just have to go with 'loads of examples of easy fractions ... but the harder stuff isn't used in day-to-day life but is needed for many harder applications of maths in people's jobs'

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