Inspiring real-life jobs that use Maths as an essential tool

Learning maths isn’t just about the classroom; so why are we learning it?

Maths can be used everywhere, from everyday tasks to our actual careers. Contextualising maths by applying it to jobs in the real world, is a great way to inspire students to pursue the subject.

Although you may not realise it, a vast range of careers relies on maths – including some unexpected jobs. So, what better way to motivate students than learning about these exciting career opportunities?

Why not take a look at these roles with your teenager? Each career demonstrates using maths outside of the classroom in diverse and fascinating ways! Below we have compiled a collection of jobs that use maths as an essential tool for their success.

Architect – a person who designs buildings and supervises their construction:

Mathematics is used by architects to express the design images on a drawing that can then be used by construction workers to build that image. Mathematics is needed to analyse and calculate structural problems to engineer a solution that will assure that a structure remains stable.

The sizes and shapes of the elements of a design are described using mathematical principles such as the Pythagorean Theorem.

Radiographer – Radiographers use x-rays and various scans to view organs and broken limbs:

Maths underpins the sciences. It allows radiographers to understand the fundamental things that happen in our universe.

Radiographers use maths every day when x-raying people with injuries when they’ve fallen over, or are generally unwell.

Fundamentally, Maths helps radiographers to work out how much radiation each patient needs so they can see their bones clearly to spot any small cracks. This knowledge will help them decide, for example, if a patient needs a cast.

Software Developer – Sometimes called a coder, is a person who creates computer software: 

Maths is essential for software developers. By using algebra, statistics and probability, they’re able to create music, games and even animation.

Maths is a developer’s best friend; they use it everything they create. They use Maths in may formats, such as algebra, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, mathematical logic, statistics, probability and much more.

Pilot – An aircraft pilot is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls :

Pilots use maths every day. They have to make sure they take the exact amount of fuel for the flight. They need to work out how much the plane weighs so they’re not too heavy to take off and land and decide how fast to fly. They also need to calculate how far they need to descend and when to slow down and how much runway we need to land.

All of this requires straightforward arithmetic including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Biologist – A biologist is a professional who has specialized knowledge in the field of biology, understanding the underlying mechanisms that govern the functioning of biological systems:

Biologists use maths to study lots of things, including animals. By collecting data and using statistics to analyse, they can investigate how changes in the environment can impact the survival of various creatures.

So, what would a day be like without any numbers? 

We would wake up late because the alarm clock wouldn’t know the time. We can’t check our phone; we can’t watch any tv or listen to the radio. We could already be late for school by now, but wait, what day is it? Is it even a school day? Without numbers, we have no idea of the time, day, month or even year.

You wake up hungry and want to heat your porridge in the microwave, but the numbers are gone? So your breakfast is burnt. You decide to give your friend a call and catch up on the presentation you’re giving at school today, but the numbers on the phone aren’t there, so you can’t call her.  You are utterly confused, you can’t even ride a bike because the gears are gone. A world without numbers is an extremely confusing place and all structure to our lives would go out the window.

So, these are just a few of the many jobs that use Maths from day today. If you’re inspired and are interested in pursuing one the roles above, use your Maths lessons as a tool to springboard yourself into a successful career.