Lower Than Higher Math
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.
Albert Einstein
Math class. Fond memories?
The valuable lessons that could have been learned in grade school math were squandered. Teachers, some of whose abilities were better suited to selling door knobs, and textbooks that seemed entirely irrelevant, made for a miserable experience.
The outcome was predictable. Didn’t learn much.
That was then. Now, some of that math would be handy in real life. Time lost on the job site due to math inability can become frustrating and costly.
“Hey Jim, how much rock do we need to bring in?” Here’s a math question disguised in an on-the-job conversation. Jim needs to bring a hole up to grade with base rock. Using a tape measure and lot level, Jim and co-worker see an 8 ft. by 12 ft area that needs to be raised 6 inches.
The fellow at the rock plant won’t appreciate hearing that you need 8 by 12 by 6 worth of rock. After all, he had the same math teacher that you did. He only wants to know how many cubic yards of what material. Period.
Uh oh. I know, I’ll buy one of those construction calculators. But what buttons do I push? Tick tick tick. There goes some profit.
How did it come to be that you missed this life lesson? Marginal math literacy is a common shortcoming. You are not alone.
Think back to grade school. Was it that untalented teacher who droned on about the water cycle, Christopher Columbus, or fractions? It all sounded the same.
Or there was an important math fundamental that you just didn’t quite understand. Perhaps you were a little sick, or distracted, or bored. You unknowingly missed something crucial and never quite recovered from that moment. This may have happened in fourth grade.
All through the next many years of school, you got by in math class. After all, you never were going to actually need this stuff. Now, how much rock does that hole require?
Let’s see, 8 feet times 12 feet times 6 inches. That’s 8x12x6, punch into calculator, that’s 576. That hole isn’t big enough to be 576 cu yards or cubic feet. I know I can do this.
“Okay class, turn to page 123. Jim what’s the answer to number 6?”
Fourth grade. Miss Tedium. Yucko. Who needs number six or this class? It’s for jerks and brainiacs like Arthur Cerebral over there who seems to know all of the answers. Probably he gets his head stuck in doorways. I wish someone could really explain this to me.
“We need to fill this hole. Let’s start again.” Taking the time to confirm your measurements, you are confident that the rock needed is 8 ft x 12 ft x 6 inches deep. Fortunately, there is one fellow in the crew who can answer this. More in a hurry than embarrassed, you ask for help. Your coworker solves the problem in a few moments. You can see that there is no magic here. Damn.
“No Jim, that’s not quite right. Does anyone else know the answer to number 6?” Darn. And so it goes. Lost and frustrated in fourth grade through to the present.
For a moment, forget about the math class memories; Miss Tedium, Arthur Cerebral, number 6. Would your life be easier, less stressful, or more lucrative if you were adept with math? For many of us, the answer is, yes.
The benefits of math competence on the job should be clear; the ability to solve the question at hand, with confidence, and in an efficient time. This translates to greater work status and more production in a given day.
Alan Cook
Copyright ©2010
Alan Cook is a carpenter, cabinet maker, and solar installer who has seen, first-hand, the problems with math deficiency in the trades. He authored A Trip to the Number Yard: A Fun and Easy Guide to the Math You Need for Construction to help trades people become more proficient in math and thereby do better in their jobs.
you must be a great Mathematician
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