Real World Applications – Secondary

Epi•Stem in collaboration with Engineers Ireland STEPS programme have developed a series of information leaflets and worksheets which show the importance of mathematics in the real world. These worksheets outline realistic problems encountered in a number of different industries and show how mathematics can be used to solve such problems. They cover a variety of concepts and topics studied at both Junior and leaving Certificate level and there are worksheets to cater for students at all levels in secondary school. Each worksheet below contains worked problems, additional exercises for students and worked solutions for teachers.

Ruling the Waves

This worksheet looks at how maths can be used to harness energy from waves. The problems outlined in this worksheet link to Strand 2 (Geometry and Trigonometry) and Strand 3 (Number) of the Project Maths Curriculum and also looks at concepts covered on the Junior Certificate Science curriculum. This worksheet is suitable for students studying Junior Certificate Mathematics and/or Science.

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Summing Up Wave Energy

This worksheet also looks at how maths can be used to harness energy from waves. The problems outlined in this worksheet link to Strand 3 (Number) of the Project Maths curriculum and also looks at concepts covered on the Junior Certificate Science curriculum. This worksheet is suitable for students studying Junior Certificate Mathematics and/or Science.

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A New Angle on Bridges

This worksheet looks at how maths can be used to harness energy from waves. The problems outlined in this worksheet link to Strand 2 (Geometry and Trigonometry) and Strand 3 (Number) of the Project Maths Curriculum and also looks at concepts covered on the Junior Certificate Science curriculum. This worksheet is suitable for students studying Junior Certificate Mathematics and/or Science.

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Playing Havok

This worksheet looks at the use of mathematics in the computer game industry. The problems outlined in this worksheet link to Strand 2 (Geometry and Trigonometry) and Strand 3 (Number) of the Project Maths Curriculum and also looks at concepts covered on the Leaving Certificate Physics curriculum (Sound Intensity). This worksheet is suitable for students studying Junior Certificate Mathematics or Leaving Certificate Physics.

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Maths Makes The Perfect Shower

This worksheet investigates the use of mathematics in creating perfect water temperature . The problems outlined in this worksheet link to Strand 4 (Algebra) of the Project Maths Curriculum and also looks at concepts covered on the Junior Certificate Science curriculum. This worksheet is suitable for students studying Junior Certificate Mathematics and/or Science.

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How Maths Can Draw You A Nice Bath

This worksheet looks at the role of mathematics and science in the heating and cooling process. The problems outlined in this worksheet link to Strand 4 (Algebra) of the Project Maths Curriculum and also looks at concepts covered on the Leaving Certificate Physics curriculum. This worksheet is suitable for students studying Junior Certificate Mathematics or Leaving Certificate Physics.

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Maths Saves Lives Everyday

This worksheet demonstrates how mathematics can help ensure quality in the biomedical industry. The problems outlined in this worksheet link to Strand 1 (Probability and Statistics) of the Project Maths Curriculum and also looks at concepts covered on the Junior Certificate Science curriculum. This worksheet is suitable for students studying Leaving Certificate Mathematics or Junior Certificate Science.

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Sun Factor Maths

This worksheet looks at the role mathematics plays in helping you to keep cool in the shade. The problems outlined in this worksheet link to Strand 2 (Geometry and Trigonometry) of the Project Maths Curriculum. This worksheet is suitable for students studying Leaving Certificate Mathematics.

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Maths Strikes Oil

This worksheet looks at how mathematics helps find black gold. The problems outlined in this worksheet link to Strand 3 (Number) of the Project Maths Curriculum and also looks at concepts covered on the Junior Certificate Science curriculum. This worksheet is suitable for students studying Junior Certificate Mathematics and/or Science.

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Maths on Track

This worksheet demonstrates how mathematics and science can help prevent a train from derailing. The problems outlined in this worksheet link to Strand 2 (Geometry and trigonometry) and Strand 4 (Algebra) of the Project Maths Curriculum and also looks at concepts covered on the leaving Certificate Physics and Applied Mathematics curricula. This worksheet is suitable for students studying Leaving Certificate Mathematics and/orApplied Mathematics or Physics.

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Problem Solving Strategies

This document may help you solve some of the problems outlined in the worksheets above. It outlines possible approaches that people can take when seeking to solve a problem. It is adopted from the work of the Project Maths Development Team and the research of Erbas and Okur (2012)

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