Why Do We Study Maths?

Last night I was tutoring when I was asked a question I`ve been asked so many times I`ve lost count! ;

"Why do we have to do maths when I`m never going to use the things I`m being taught?"

For many years I would explain how maths and science have built the modern world and how we are dependent on them for the technology we have. I made a special case for medicine, pointing out that people are living healthier lives and avoiding death from diseases which only 100 years ago we would have been defenseless against. ;

Of course this didn`t work because they just take it all for granted!

So I`ve switched tack. I ask them to think of an Olympic medal. ;

What is it? ;

It`s just a piece of metal and fabric. ;

What is it actually worth? ;

Now think of all the ; the time, the pain, the focus, all the exhausting practice and all the effort the athlete had to go through to finally win that medal. The medal represents something ; VERY important - it is a symbol.

Your GCSE maths certificate ; is a symbol too. ;
It shows you are prepared to work hard on something known to be difficult. ; ;

It means you can be trusted ; to put the time in - and that you have the determination to be a winner. ;

It tells ; colleges that you are serious. ; ;

It tells future employers ; that you are worth investing in. ; ;

It is a HUGELY important symbol - ; just like the medal.