There is no doubt that every maths teacher in the world has been asked the question, “what’s the point of maths?” or “when am I ever going to need this?”. Well, Year 11 students at John Whitgift School in Grimsby were given some of the answers to these type of questions by considering maths limited to the GCSE maths specification.
The presentation also highlighted the contribution made by Lincolnshire’s unsung genius George Boole. Boole’s mathematics was precisely what electronic engineers needed to design digital computer circuits. Without Boole’s mathematics there would be no mobile phones or computers; in fact, all electrical appliances rely on Boolean algebra.
Students were given the opportunity to test their logistical thinking by considering some logical problems. If you would like a maths assembly at your school then please do get in touch.
By Dave Tuhey