How can we make sure everyone has clean drinking water? How can we make the checkout system at the store more efficient? How can we make sure that the grocery store has enough food so everyone in the community can purchase what they need?
We live in a world where we are constantly required to ask questions and figure out answers. With a lot of these questions - we can figure out the answers using math. This is what mathematical modelling entails.
The mathematical modelling process, “starts with ill-defined, often messy real-life problems that may have several different solutions that are all correct. Mathematical modelling requires the modeller to be critical and creative and make choices, assumptions, and decisions. Through this process, they create a mathematical model that describes a situation using mathematical concepts and language, and that can be used to solve a problem or make decisions and can be used to deepen understanding of mathematical concepts” (Ontario Mathematics Curriculum, 2020).
Here are the four key interconnected and iterative components of the mathematical modelling process:
1. Understand the problem
- What questions need answering?
- What information is needed?
2. Analyse the situation
- What assumptions do I make about the situation?
- What changes, what remains the same?
3. Create a mathematical model
- What representations, tools, technologies, and strategies will help build the model?
- What mathematical knowledge, concepts, and skills might be involved?
4. Analyse and assess the model
- Can this model provide a solution?
- What are alternative models?
At home you can help your child start thinking about real life problems they face. Through discussions and research, as a family, you can work on a solution to the problem using math.
Some examples may include:
- We have noticed that we have too many bags of garbage. How could we reduce the amount of garbage we produce?
- We have noticed that we are often rushed in the morning. What can we do to make our mornings not feel so rushed?
- You may also want to consider problems that arise in your community and throughout the world to further enhance your child’s global awareness.
- You have noticed that the children in your community are using the library parking lot like a skate park and parents are worried that it is not safe for these children. What solutions might there be to this problem? What would be best for the children?
- You have read that many Indigenous communities in Canada do not have clean drinking water. What can be done to ensure everyone in Canada has access to clean water?
For more information about the mathematical modelling process, please visit the Ontario Mathematics Curriculum (2020) website.