Application Of Mathematical Knowledge In Real Life

The Grade 8 (MYP 3) students at CISS are currently completing a unit of inquiry into the properties of triangles and today they applied their learning about trigonometry to calculate the height of the Administration building. To do this, they had to accurately measure a distance they stood away from the administration building, then to measure the angle of elevation to the roof of the Administration building. To measure this angle, they used a clinometer app downloaded to their phones, which was able to accurately measure the angle, provided the student was able to hold and aim their phones correctly!

Using mathematics in a real-world context always makes the learning of mathematics more real – and more stimulating to learn. Students also learn that in order to obtain accurate results, they must learn to measure very carefully, something that is not always obvious in a classroom situation. The students enjoyed the chance to get out of the classroom, but also to see their mathematical knowledge in action!