Math for Everyday Life, Research Paper Example

Abstract

The paper discusses everyday applications of quadratic equations. The role of math in the workplace performance of an operations manager is discussed.

Math for Everyday Life

When learning high mathematics and algebra at school, we often ask one and the same question: what do we need math for? The question becomes particularly painful whenever we encounter complex algebraic formulas and calculations. Yet, that algebraic calculations are sophisticated and complex does not reduce their applicability in real-life situations. Quadratic equations are commonly used in a variety of real-life contexts. Contrary to public beliefs, quadratic equations have a variety of applications and can serve a reliable tool of calculating area, time, speed, and even the projected number of Internet users for years ahead.

A quadratic equation is “an equation that can be written in the general form ax²+bx+c=0” (Larson, Hostetler & Falvo, 2006). Quadratic equations are second-degree polynomial equations and can be solved by a variety of algebraic methods, like factoring or the use of the Quadratic formula. That quadratic equations cannot be used in real-life situations is an erroneous belief: more often than not, quadratic equations are an effective algebraic tool of solving even the most complicated practical tasks. The following examples will shed some light on how quadratic equations work in everyday life.

Imagine a situation, in which a contractor must create a house of the total area of 1000 square feet, where width of the floor must be 20 feet more than its length. The basic task is to calculate the dimensions of the floor based on the customer’s requirements. This is where the contractor will have to apply to quadratic equations: f²+20f-1000=0 will be the quadratic equation needed to solve this task. The roots of the equation will be f₁=-23 and f₂=-43, but because the measures of width and length cannot be negative, the contractor will use the practical results of 23 and 43 feet accordingly.

Larson, Hostetler and Falvo (2006) provide another interesting example: a worker on the 24^th floor of a new building accidentally drops an instrument and yells to the person at ground level “Look out below!” (120). The question is whether a person at the ground floor can hear the warning on time, to be able to take a step away from the falling instrument. Regardless of the specific form of quadratic equation, it is the only possible way for the constructors to determine how much time they need to warn those at the ground floor about the falling object. Sometimes, quadratic equations can help to determine the prospective number of Internet users for years ahead, based on the historical data. In a similar vein, quadratic equations can solve time versus speed tasks, area tasks, and even the tasks that involve the use of the Pythagorean Theorem (Larson, Hostetler & Falvo, 2006).

Engineers and technical professions apply to math most frequently. That, however, does not mean that other professionals do not use math: for any operations manager to be successful, he (she) must have the basic knowledge of mathematics, to be able to meet his (her) career and workplace objectives. Operations management is always about managing processes to manufacture and distribute goods/ services. An operations manager working for a medical supply company must have a sound knowledge of all production and distribution operations and related activities, including logistics, inventory control, cost management, quality control, forecasting, and evaluation (McNamara, 2010). A person aspiring to enter the career of an operations manager for a medical supply company must be able to use mathematical models and algorithms, to resolve numerous optimization issues (Roy, 2007). In operations, management, optimization and mathematics are the critical components of effective problem solving. At times, operations managers must engage in complex statistical and mathematic analyses. Math for operations managers is the best means of resolving complex operations issues.

Conclusion

That mathematics and algebraic functions are difficult to apply in real-life contexts is an erroneous belief. More often than not, math turns into the basic means of solving various real-life tasks. Quadratic equations are used to address and resolve area, time, and speed issues. Sometimes, quadratic equations may even help to determine the prospective number of Internet users for years ahead. Operations managers need mathematics, too, to be able to develop and use effective optimization models and to manage successfully the basic business operations.

References

Larson, R., Hostetler, R.P. & Falvo, D.C. (2006). College algebra. Boston: Cengage Learning.

McNamara, C. (n.d.). Operations management. Management Help. Retrieved June 12, 2010 from http://managementhelp.org/ops_mgnt/ops_mgnt.htm

Roy, R.N. (2007). A modern approach to operations management. New Age International.