Mathematical Processes and Applications

The following extract is taken from the Standards Site 

Pupils need to be able to select the mathematics required to solve a problem and to recognise that an idea that they meet in one strand of mathematics can be applied in another. A good 'diet' will include:

  • problems and applications that extend content beyond what has just been taught
  • familiar and unfamiliar problems in a range of numerical, algebraic and graphical contexts, some with a unique solution and some with several possible solutions
  • activities that develop short chains of deductive reasoning and concepts of proof in algebra and geometry
  • occasional opportunities to sustain thinking by tackling more complex problems. 

Problems to Develop and Assess Mathematical Processes and Applications

Bowland have put together some short tasks in order to develop the mathematical processing skills these include an assessment grid for each of the tasks - Click here

The 20 Nuffield Applying Mathematical Processes (AMP) activities are accessible to all secondary pupils.
Roughly half the activities are abstract investigations and half are practical explorations set in realistic contexts with teacher notes for each activity include annotated examples of pupils' work, equipment required, key mathematical features, suitability for group work, and extension opportunities

These NRICH tasks have been identified as suitable for developing and assessing Mathematical Processes
 

Problem Representing Analysing – use mathematical reasoning Analysing – appropriate mathematical procedures Interpreting and evaluating Communicating and reflecting
All in a jumble          
Consecutive numbers          
Got it!          
Harmonic triangle          
Isosceles triangle          
More number pyramids          
Odds and evens          
Reaction timer          
Route to infinity          
Seven squares          
Speeding up, slowing down          
Square it          
Squares in rectangles          
Tilted squares          
Triangles in circles          

To access some relevant website reviews - Click here
For relevant Numeracy framework pages - Click here

Monitoring MPA within Mathematics could be done using a cover sheet where for a unit of work opportunities for teaching and consolidating their MPA skills could be recorded - Click here for a KS3 exemplar which includes the Years 7, 8 and 9 processes.

For a range of Contextual Problems - Click here

Other Sources of Materials

STEM have produced a booklet of links and resources and contacts to make the links between business and the classroom STEM Directory For Mathematics
BBC Open University Site which has a wide range of mathematical applications in the real world. Explore the menu on the left such as Maths in Action. Open University
Bowland Maths - Govenment Funded series of extended activities set in real life contexts.  Resources online plus DVD's have been sent to all schools or can be requested online Bowlands
NCETM - up2d8 Magazines provide a topical context for a Maths problem with supporting resources NCETM
Locating Mobile Phone Masts PowerPoint Version of Task
  Printer Friendly Version of PowerPoint
  Calculation Help Sheet
  Teacher Notes
Contextual Problems Click here
Functional Skills Questions See OCR Papers
Fibonacci PowerPoint Presentation
  Teacher Notes