What’s Math

Got To Do With It?

A look into occupations and how math is used in the real world.

By: Janice Rogers

What do these things have in common?

And these?

What about these?

HAVE IT FIGURED OUT YET?

The Answer…..

Mathematics

MATHEMATICS

Yes…..That’s right

Automotive Collision RepairMy job requires the use of addition, subtraction and division in the repairing or replacement of structural and non structural parts on a vehicle. I have to use length, width, height or comparative measurements to ensure the vehicle sits and tracks properly, and the parts fit properly when reassembling ~ Larry Stanbrough – Repair Technician

DeliveryI have to be able to total a ticket, ensure that I receive proper payment, that my tickets total accurately, and be able to make change. I have to use math to make sure I’m going to the right place, and that I have enough gas to get all my deliveries done. ~Mark Peel – pizza deliveryman

Doctors and NursesAs a doctor, I use statistics to study patients and treatments. Calculate doses. ~Fernando Garcia, Caracas, Spain

I calculate cc’s for medication and fluid intake, be able to take pulse, and blood pressure. ~Michelle Braun, Nursing Assistant

Chef I need to use math to calculate costs and weigh ingredients. To modify recipes and ingredients for

numbers of people. Take into consideration gross profit. ~ Chef Marc Skidmore

Hair Stylists

Use math to pay bills, paying the employees, and use ratios in preparing the hair dyes.

~Tiffany Ferguson, Owner Hair Salon

Pool

I use geometry to mentally figure angles,

trajectory, speed, and sequence.

~Drusilla, Professional Pool Player

Computer Programmer

We need Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus in the creation of our programming Algorithms.

~Cheska Santos Lim, Computer Programmer, IBM

Designer

We create math models, which uses equations to show surfaces, lines and arcs. The model is used to give a shape to parts, and to see how parts will fit. Also gives us mass, and the coverage area. Math is used for analysis to ensure flow of fluid and air is most beneficial.

~Tony N, General Motors

Human ResourcesMath is used to determine equity in compensation, evaluate market competitiveness of compensation, review salary increases for promotions, evaluate turnover data, review trends for human resource planning.

~John Lawrence, Human Resource Manager

Headcount is very important in a company, as all agreements we need to do with unions, salary increase, projections of investments, annual budget, forecast and profit plans.

~Gerson Mella, HR Manager

Teacher

I use math to calculate grades, to weight tests, average scores. Track attendance. Report learning, and understanding of concepts.

~Roberta Johnson, Math Teacher

HERS RaterMath skills are needed to calculate gross square and cubic footage for each home as well as calculatons to determine natural air changes per hour (how drafty a home is) and thermal load calculations for heating and air conditioning, most of the math is algebra and geometry, with a sprinkle of trig and calculus. For someone who claimed math was a waste of time while in school…..I certainly picked the wrong field.

~Rich Erne, HERS Rater

Race Car Driving

Math is used in racing, to calculate speed, velocity, tire pressure, gas consumption, and resistance from air flow.

~Tony N, TN Racing, LLC.

Fire Fighter

Math is used to calculate lengths of fire hoses, burn rates, and extensively for the chauffer who drives the apparatus as he is the one in charge of pumping water from the truck. Water pressure has to be maintained at the nozzle to ensure firefighter safety and extinguish the flames. This is calculated by using algebra to maintain a constant pressure.

~Heather Mayes, Firefighter

Production

Production numbers and forecasts are a part of a big company, analysis of your market, the consumers, your resources, raw material, energy, payments, labor force, suppliers,

government taxes, and finally what and how many you should produce is for sure of extreme importance, a mistake in such calculations can close the doors of a company.

~Vladslav, Production Manager

Scientist

Math is used in statistics, analysis, quality control, patient references, measurements, conversions, and calculations for experiments.

~Silvia Madrid-Willingham, Senior Biomedical Scientist

BuyerAs a buyer and seller of frozen fruit and vegetables in Canada, I buy from all over the world.

Each country has a different measurement and exchange. For example, onions bought in the

US by the pound, might be sold in Canada in kilograms. Quotes are giving in blends, so each

item in the blend must be factored and calculated, to ultimize profit, packaging, storage.

Freight is figured by weigh, each country has different road weight capacities. ~Lance Nichol, Produce Buyer

Police Vehicular Accident Investigator

An investigator is often faced with a crushed vehicle and physical evidence which must be examined to determine cause. First and often most telling is the skid marks. By measuring these skid marks it can determine the speed of the vehicle and distance of braking. Measurements are taken of all areas, and algebraic equations are utilized to recreate the accident.

~David Mayes, Reconstructionist

Sales/Marketing

I use math to analyze profitability, and calculate a return on investment. My goal is to gain an acceptable rate or return to ensure profit. At the same time, the economy and competition drives rate of return, we can’t give a bad deal where people would not buy because of high pricing but cannot take a loss or we would not be profitable.

~James Wulff, Sales Exec PepsiCo

Security GuardsI use math to calculate my paycheck, and make sure it’s right, make sure I have enough open spaces in my parking lot. And to ensure I get enough donuts so my co-workers get an equal share.

~Will Arnal, Security Guard

Window/Door ManufacturingWe make window and door frames for houses. We have to factor in temperature, extruder speeds, feeder speeds, line speeds, cut lengths, we have set formulas to determine parts per hour, time to finish orders, how much material is needed, to change speeds, weight of parts, we use calipers to determine saleability, and to determine how many will fit in a package for shipping.

~Charles Lea, Mikron Vynil

Construction

I have to measure length, width, height and weight. I use angles in construction of trusses, and windows. I also use math to prepare bids on jobs, control certifications, and calculate financing. I have to figure in cost of rental equipment, and labor.

~Jose Martin, Independent Contractor

Medical Billing

I use rations to calculate co-pays, and insurance participation, from PPO insurances, as well as medicare. There is cash posting, charges, daily balance sheets. Have to ensure everyone pays properly and calculate % to write off.

~Melissa Brown, Billing Clerk

Janitor

I use math, by m

aking sure I h

ave enough paper towels a

nd

toilet paper in

my bathrooms to get th

rough to th

e next

shift. I have to

use proportions in m

ixing ch

emicals f

or the

cleaning products

.

~Jimmy Huske

y, Wal M

art Corp

Trucking IndustryI calculate drum load weights to maximize

transport of materials without overweighing trucks

for highway travel. ~George Sucarichi, Owner Trucking Company

I have to calculate the amount of mileage I can cover versus the hours I’m allowed to drive. I have to ensure tire pressure, and make sure that my load doesn’t exceed road limits.

~Diane Wyatt, Truck Driver

Sawmill I use measurements and fractions, to find lengths and set cuts. And geometry is utilized as if piecing together puzzles.

~Clarence Becker, Leadman

Insurance

Accident

PolicyCancer Policy

DentalVision

I offer insurance packages to employers to offer to their employees as benefits packages. I calculate ratios, projections, budgets and planning. Analyze employee costs, and benefits, to maximize compensation. Formulate proposals.

~Norm HightowerOwner Benefits Improvement Group

MilitaryI use math to find out where I am on the map, where my enemy is, to call for fire from air, sea or artillery. We use compasses and protractors on maps. We measure distance in kilometers. Magnetic north, grid (map) north and true north are three different things. I use math to compute the difference between the three. Any miscalculation, and I could be in the kill zone when air drops are made.

~Gary Podgurski, Army National Guard

Algebra Avengers

Team comprised of Janice Rogers, Sean Elkin, Michael Lee, Mindy Coburn & Debbie Stewart

All images are borrowed from websites accessible from Google Images.

All commentary, although quoted from individuals in those professions, is not entirely comprehensive to the usages of math

in their professions.