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Apr 132020
 

This quiz has been doing the rounds on social media. Apologies to the author, but I can’t credit you as I don’t know who you are!

A very common mistake in maths exams is to forget to label the axes of a graph. Here are 10 graphs without labels on the y axis. Can you use your skill and judjement to work out what they should be? Click on the graph to enlarge it.

Jul 142015
 

Amey Streets Ahead photo from http://www.amey.co.uk/media/press-releases/2012/april/amey-announced-preferred-bidder-for-2-billion-sheffield-highways-contract/ (with permission)In this exercise you will need to read the information from an Amey press release about the massive Streets Ahead contract. You will then use your skills to answer the questions. You can download a worksheet or use the interactive version here.

Aug 202014
 

This is one in a large series of short videos from NCETM showing how people use maths at work. See the others here.

When you have watched the video see if you can convert time into decimals and work out how much employees should be paid.

Interactive Worksheet

Pdf worksheet

May 152013
 

In these days of austerity, benefits are being cut and prices continue to rise. It has never been more important to be careful with your money, as getting into debt can spiral out of control and have dire consequences. A first step in taking control of your finances is to understand what you spend your money on. This sheet will help you work this out. To do it accurately you will need to record your spending carefully for several weeks but you may be able to estimate figures until you have got more accurate information.

Fill the figures in for an average month. So for example if you pay an MOT fee of £54.85 each year this would be recorded as 54.85/12 = £4.57 a month. If you spend £10 at the pub once a week that would be recorded as 4 x £10 = £40.

There is also an on-line version which does the sums for you here.

Mar 252013
 

Jan 262013
 

This sheet from moneyfacts.co.uk  explains all about payslips

Jan 202013
 

Here is a letter from the Coop Bank offering Mrs Givusabob a loan. Can you help her understand it?

Here is a worksheet version.

(MathswithGraham likes the Coop Bank because of their ethical principles, but borrowing from any bank can be very expensive.)

 

Jan 202013
 

sainsbury's Bank Credit CardDo you understand those letters that come through the door offering you a credit card? Have a go at this exercise to find out more.

Here is a worksheet version.

 

(I have used Sainsbury’s Bank as an example of a typical credit card provider- this exercise does not insinuate that Sainsbury’s Bank is any worse than other credit card providers.)

Jan 052013
 

Many people on a low income are not able to open a bank account. If they need to borrow money they can be offered loans with massive rates of interest. This exercise looks at how to calculate interest rates and compares different ways of borrowing money.

The video mentions two businesses in particular. Wonga.com and Quick Quid both charge interest rates in excess of 2000%. Do you know of higher rates of interest? Please comment below to name and shame the loan sharks!

The same exercise is here in worksheet format.

 

 

Jan 042013
 

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation research into the minimum income standards for the UK.  The Minimum Income Standard for the UK shows how much money people need, so that they can buy things that members of the public think that everyone in the UK should be able to afford.

  • Figures are based on public views about a minimum standard that nobody should fall below.
  • It does not show you what you require to meet all your individual needs, and is not suitable for use as a personal budgeting tool.

By entering a few details about your circumstances you can compare your income with the MIS, and see how this is made up. For instance  my children are now all grown up and have left home, so I live with my wife. When I have entered details about my rent/mortgage. gas/electric/water bills etc it tells me the minimum income I require is £23,099. They break this down into how much I need for food, alcohol. council tax, clothing etc. It makes very interesting reading!

minimum income standardThe picture shows the results for a single person.

Go to http://www.minimumincome.org.uk/ and enter your details to see what it suggests for your household.

Try this exercise to find out about a single persons minimum income. It will also help you to calculate percentages.

 

Jan 042013
 

Everybody is feeling the pinch at the moment. Try this interactive  Money Saving Transport Quiz to see if you can save some cash! Here is the same exercise in worksheet format.

Jan 032013
 

Many people living in poverty are being ripped off with massive interest rates.  People who can’t get bank accounts and are trying to survive on benefits sometimes see no alternative but to use door step lenders or shops that offer instant credit but then charge extortionate interest rates.

Try this quiz to learn more about shopping on credit.

Jan 022013
 

How do you work out how much electricity something uses?

This exercise will help you understand “units” of electricity and help you work out how much electricity different things use.

There is a worksheet version of the activity or an interactive version.

 

Oct 052012
 

Download, print and cut out the triangles. Work with a friend to try and match all the questions with the correct answers and make a shape.

Ratio Jigsaw

Sep 302012
 

Click here to download this Level 2 Functional Maths worksheet, Don’t always believe what you read in the newspaper.
It concerns how much money you can save by spending less time in the shower.

Feb 062012
 

Do you find it difficult to make ends meet? Are you worried about how you will manage your money in the future? This site will give you plenty of advice and help you with things like budgeting. It’s a site that gives free, unbiased money advice to help you make informed choices – throughout your life and whatever your circumstances.
Why not check it out? Money Advice Service