Math in Real Life: Application of Math in Different Professions (Essay Sample)

Math in Real Life
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Math in Real Life
Introduction
Math has no definition which is universally accepted across all the fields of academia. Different schools of thought have put forth different kinds of definitions. However, most definitions point that math is the study of numbers, size, and form. It involves a logical study of magnitude and its correlation using numbers and other symbols (The Merriam-Webster dictionary, 2017). The study usually uses reasoning as the approach to the manipulation of numbers. Pure mathematics deals with abstract values while applied math deals with the application of math to other sciences (Oxford Dictionary, 2017).
Before the dawn of the modern era, the study of math was relatively limited to numbers and simple arithmetic. Nowadays mathematics has broadened to include branches such as analytical math where calculus forms the base of this branch. Other main branches of math include algebra, where symbols are used to express unknown quantities in mathematical expressions; geometry, which deals with the shapes, size, and properties of objects and trigonometry which deals with the measure and size of angles, their properties, and their relationships.
Application of Math in Different Professions
The ability to accurately determine the measurements, the magnitude or reliability of a certain task, maybe a project or even drug-mixing ratio largely depends on math. The inductive method used as the approach for formulating theorems and equations in math forms the bases of most professional practice. Intuition and experience which is sometimes used as a tool for decision making in most professional practice cannot be used alone. Supporting statistics and accurate calculations are usually exploited as a backing to reduce risk and increase chances of success. Thus math is used almost in every profession. Lawyers use it in court, artists apply it, doctors view it as essential tool and engineers see it as the foundation of their profession.
Doctors
Doctors use math extensively in their profession. Statistics which is a branch of math is used to gauge disease prevalence. At the same time research on drugs largely relies on statistics to determine its success rate. If for instance, a drug cures 99 people out of a sample of 100 people, the drug is said to have a success rate of 90% when other factors such as side effects of the drug are held constant. Doctors also use statistics and probability principles to advise patients and their families on the success rate of different surgical operations. Prescription of drugs by physicians so that it can have the required effect in the body of the patient is also part of math (Glydon, n.d.). Thus math is much essential to the practice of medicine.
Engineers
The practice of engineering involves a lot of mathematical principles. Structural engineers use mathematics widely to accurately determine the strength of a building, its safe loading and at the same time the cost of the bill of materials and labor. Research engineers use statistical tools to determine the failure rate of new products, their reliability and also their lifespan. Design engineers in different fields heavily evoke mathematical principles and equations to come up with new designs. Power engineers use statistics to determine the demand schedule, evoke math to calculate power demands, fault analysis, the economics of distribution of power and cost reduction techniques.
Pilots
The operation and control of airship to ensure safe, efficient and reliable navigation uses a lot of mathematical principles. For instance, a pilot ensures proper landing and taking-off angles. The wrong judgment of these trigonometric parameters may possibly lead to a crash. Wind up-thrust is quantified using mathematical equations and is a key factor for the safe navigation of the aircraft. The velocity and the magnitude of the wind, air resistance and forward propulsion parameters of jet aircraft can well be quantified using mathematical principles. Safe loading of airships is usually determined using mathematical principles. Thus knowledge of math is a key element for the safe operation, running, and control of aircraft.
Teachers
Teachers use mathematics in their everyday life. During the preparation of exam results calculations are done to determine best performers. Statistical tools are used to determine performance distribution curves, class attendance curves and to detect patterns within these graphs which may give suggestions on how to improve learning. Planning and the preparation of curriculum requires a good knowledge of math. This is necessary in order to appropriately plan lesson duration, work which can be covered within each lesson, quantify objects and assess the cost of the resources needed for the successful implementation of the curriculum.
Relationship between Math and Other Fields of Academia
Various aspects of math have a very close relationship with other disciplines. Math is a backbone to science, is essential in arts and helps understand social dynamics of the society. Music composition, playing a tune or playing as part of physical education all need knowledge of math. (Masanja, nd, p.5).
Some branches of math such as trigonometry and geometry play a special role in arts. For instance, artistic drawings require the understanding of shapes, how they fit in each other and the impressions they give to the eye of the observer (Daniel and Naested, 2012, p.15).
Math, therefore, improves the sense of shape to the artist. Linear perspective drawing which involves drawing objects relative to the distance from the observer by making distance objects smaller and close objects bigger, can only gain proper momentum when the artist has an understanding of math. Multi-dimensional drawing use polyhedral concepts which are part of math. An artist may utilize trigonometric and geometric concepts in math to come up with outstanding drawing and illustrations (Daniel and Naested, 2012, p.14).
Science is much depended on math. A career in a science subject will require one to have a strong grounding in mathematical principles. The formulation of scientific theories and the proving of those theories use extensive mathematical principles. Natural sciences use math to formulate physical quantities in terms of numbers for the purposes of analysis, testing and derivation of scientific laws and principles. For instance in physics differential equations are used to study the relationship between moving bodies and the forces of friction and gravity experienced by the body (Broader, nd, p.280). In chemistry, the rate of reactions is tabulated and graphs-an aspect of math- used to analyze the results. In biology, ecological studies widely use statistical and probability theory to study distribution, survival and feeding habits of living organisms in a given ecological zone (Masanja, nd, p.5).
Social studies use major aspects of math expansively. Social economics use statistical tools to study and understand social-economic dynamics of the society. Population statistics and other demographic concepts are prepared using statistical analytical tools. Most political debates employ data and statistics to convince their listeners on the validity of their arguments (Leslie and Mendick, 2013, p. 28). Therefore proper understanding of math come handy in the study of human demographics.
When playing music, mathematics understanding is needed to come up with musical notes (Gupta, 2009). The concept of harmony in music is inherently a math concept. Harmonic analysis and the effects they produce to the ear can well be understood better when one has a fundamental understanding of harmonic waves studied in math (American Mathematical Society, n.d.). The decibel unit used in music as a measure of loudness or softness of music is a math concept. This decibel unit uses logarithmic scales found in math to linearize sound intensity.
Physical education utilizes math in different concepts. The frequency of the repetition of a certain exercise during work-out and its effects on the body is better understood when the instructor has a better conception of math. The speed of running which is the ratio of distance covered by the runner to the time taken is also a math concept. Weights and their magnitude used in lifting is a math concept. Thus math is necessary for proper understanding of this discipline.
The Presence of Math in Our Life in UAE
The stunning architectural work in UAE is a result of math. The architectural wonders of Abu Dhabi apply math in the conception and design of such structures. The Emirates Palace featuring 114 domes and a height of 80 meters has integrated math in its design. Yas Viceroy with thrilling features such as glass walls and LED lighting has steel grid structure as the sp...