School Curriculum: Mathematical Applications

This page is designed to enable parents to understand what their child should be learning, when they should be learning it, and what degree of mastery the child should have attained (at a median level) by a certain grade level. For Homeschoolers, we hope that this page will serve as a valuable asset in establishing a baseline curriculum. For parents whose children attend public or private schools (or for the inquisitive student) this page should give some guidance as to whether or not the school curriculum and methods are providing students with an adequate standard of education. 

What is meant by "Mathematical Applications," why is it important, and how is it approached ? Below is a description of the core discipline and its components, and the answers to why-how-when these components are taught.  Mathematical Applications components have median level goals to be attained by the end of Grade 4, by the end of Grade 8, and by the end of Grade 12.

This page does not contain articles for education in this discipline.
For educational articles, go to: Mathematical Applications: A. Numerical Operations, B. Geometry and Measurement, C. Patterns and Algebra, D. Data Analysis and Probability

STANDARD 5.3 (MATHEMATICAL APPLICATIONS) ALL STUDENTS WILL INTEGRATE MATHEMATICS AS A TOOL FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING IN SCIENCE, AND AS A MEANS OF EXPRESSING AND/OR MODELING SCIENTIFIC THEORIES.

Descriptive Statement: Science cannot be practiced or learned without appreciation of the role of mathematics in discovering and expressing natural laws. This standard recognizes the need for students to fully integrate mathematics skills with their learning of science.

Strands and Cumulative Progress Indicators

By the end of Grade 4, students will:

A. Numerical Operations

1. Determine the reasonableness of estimates, measurements, and computations of quantities when doing science.

2. Recognize and comprehend the orders of magnitude associated with large and small physical quantities.

3. Express quantities using appropriate number formats, such as:

• integers.
• fractions.

B. Geometry and Measurement

1. Select appropriate measuring instruments based on the degree of precision required.

2. Use a variety of measuring instruments and record measured quantities using the appropriate units.

C. Patterns and Algebra

1. Identify patterns when observing the natural and constructed world.

D. Data Analysis and Probability

1. Use tables and graphs to represent and interpret data.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 8, students will:

A. Numerical Operations

1. Express quantities using appropriate number formats, such as:

• decimals.
• percents.
• scientific notation.

B. Geometry and Measurement

1. Perform mathematical computations using labeled quantities and express answers in correctly derived units.

C. Patterns and Algebra

1. Express physical relationships in terms of mathematical equations derived from collected data.

D. Data Analysis and Probability

1. Represent and describe mathematical relationships among variables using:

• graphs.
• tables.

2. Analyze experimental data sets using measures of central tendency:

• mean.
• mode.
• median

3. Construct and use a graph of experimental data to draw a line of best fit and identify a linear relationship between variables.

4. Use computer spreadsheets, graphing and database applications to assist in quantitative analysis of data.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 12, students will:

A. Numerical Operations

1. Reinforce indicators from previous grade level.

B. Geometry and Measurement

1. When performing mathematical operations with measured quantities, express answers to reflect the degree of precision and accuracy of the input data.

C. Patterns and Algebra

1. Apply mathematical models that describe physical phenomena to predict real world events.

D. Data Analysis and Probability

1. Construct and interpret graphs of data to represent inverse and non-linear relationships, and statistical distributions.

 

 

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