Math Confidence Video on You Tube
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When Are We Ever Going To Use This Math?
In addition to content, Math builds many life skills such as (Expanding Your) Horizon. This month's newsletter is the last installment in the four-month Math Confidence series on answering this oft-asked question with "H is for Horizon". It's about the Math, but it is not about the Math! While Algebra may be a presence for some in their career and/or life, it is these payoffs: MATH that make Math useful!
"M" is for Mental Fitness
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When Are We Ever Gonna Use This MATH?
"H" is for Horizon
While some use their high school Trigonometry such as Electrical Engineers, Math widens opportunities for college major and career choices. It is also important for placement tests like ACCUPLACER to avoid remedial non-credit classes due to rusty middle school Math and/or calculator-dependency. While Math can fulfill academic and professional goals, it can also help people navigate Health and Finance. Some high schools wisely offer Personal Finance or Financial Algebra to develop knowledge and skills to make wise decisions.
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Recommended Reading
Success magazine publisher Darren Hardy's The Compound Effect is full of resources to set goals and start off the new school year with energy and purpose. The subtitle is "Multiplying Your Success. One Simple Step At A Time" and he stresses the importance and consistency of daily routine (see the Weekly Rhythm Register).
The Compound Effect uses Math examples such as saving $250/month starting at age 23 vs. age 40 and 125 calories/day over 31 months as well as focus and productivity ideas such as checking emails only three times daily. Chapter 1, The Compound Effect in Action, is available free. The book continues with Chapters 2 - 6 -- Choices, Habits, Momentum, Influences and Acceleration.
The free worksheets include a Gratitude Assessment, Core Values Assessment, Life Assessment, Goal Designing, Habit Assessment, Weekly Rhythm Register, Input Influences and Association Evaluator.
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Compound Interest
Compound interest is the principle of The Compound Effect and Finance is a great Math application. Simple interest will earn the same amount of interest each year whereas compound interest will earn the same percent each year.
For example, $100 at 10% annually: Simple interest earns $10 per year so your account is then worth $110, $120, $130 and so on.
Compound interest earns 10% of the balance so the first year you earn 10% of 100, while the interest for the second year is 10% of $110 ($11) -- this brings the amount to $121. For the third year, the interest is 10% on $121 is $12.10 and now the balance is $133.10 -- $3.10 more than $130 with simple interest.
Alas, interest rates these days are less than 2% -- check out the Ally Bank link for up-to-date information. In late August, Ally Bank's 12 month CD offered a 1.44% interest rate compared to 0.65% at Bank of America -- this difference is .79% or 79 basis points.
Compound Interest Calculator
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Brain Teaser
When writing the whole numbers from 1 to 20, there are 12 1s (one in 1, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 and two in 11).
When writing the whole numbers from 1 to 1000, how many 1s will you write?
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Thanks for reading! How can we make this newsletter better? Please send comments and suggestions to Robin mathconfidence@aol.com
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Sincerely,
Robin "the Math Lady" Schwartz
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