TOPIC 3
NUMERACY
SKILLS
ACADEMIC INSTRUCTOR: MINH LAM GIANG, NGUYEN
MASTER OF SCIENCE OF MANAGEMENT
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM
INTRODUCTION
► CLIP NUMERACY
INTRODUCTION
► STEM (science, technology, engineering and
mathematics)
TOPIC 3 Learning Outcomes
Numeracy Skills
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
► 1. Define the term numeracy and innumeracy;
► 2. Discuss the importance of numeracy in today’s
world;
► 3. Describe the fundamental aspects of numeracy;
► 4. Apply numeracy in basic day to day problems using
appropriate mathematical methods.
3.1. NUMERACY
► Numeracy is a way of connecting literacy and
scientific principles.
► Numeracy is defined as the ability to understand
and work with numbers (Oxford Dictionaries)
► Numeracy is considered as fundamental
mathematical skills which include the ability to
understand and analyse numerical information,
express ideas based on numerical information and
to make the right conclusions and decisions.
3.1. NUMERACY
► Numeracy skills are essential in every aspect of our lives. We use
these skills in everyday activities at home, workplace, shopping
mall, hospitals and many more.
► With good numeracy skills, it helps us to function responsibly in
everyday life and contribute effectively to the society.
► Working with numbers trains our mind to think logically and
critically.
► Basic numeracy by fact, is a logically derived system.
► Numeracy helps us in understanding statistical information such as
data, charts, graphs, infographics and risk statements.
► It also helps us in making decisions in our live
3.1. NUMERACY
► Innumeracy is defined as a lack of ability to
understand and use numbers in calculations
(Cambridge English Dictionary, n.d.).
► The effect of innumeracy on people’s lives is
much less self evident than illiteracy.
3.1. NUMERACY
When do we use
Examples
numeracy?
At work Giving correct change, weighing and measuring, using spreadsheets and understanding data.
In practical everyday
Working out how many minutes until our train, increasing a recipe to serve extra guests.
activities at home and beyond
Understanding how much we'll save with a 15% discount, checking we've received the right
As consumers
change, working out how much to tip in a restaurant.
Setting and keeping to a budget, understanding interest rates, understanding the financial
In managing our finances
implications of borrowing money, working out how much money to put into a pension.
As parents Helping children with homework, playing board and puzzle games with children.
As patients making sense of Managing our diet and nutrition, making and keeping medical appointments, measuring
health information medicine doses, working out a routine for taking tablets regularly.
As citizens understanding the Making sense of statistics and graphs in the news, understanding information about government
world about us spending.
3.1. NUMERACY
3.2. FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS IN
NUMERACY
3.2.1. REASONING
► Reasoning is a process of thinking information
in a logical way in order to form a solution or
conclusion.
► It is required to help us to develop
mathematically and allow us to think critically.
► Two types of reasoning in numeracy:
deductive and inductive reasoning.
3.2.1. REASONING
► A simple illustration
3.2.1. REASONING
3.2.1. REASONING
Deductive reasoning Inductive reasoning
Deductive reasoning moves from generalized Inductive reasoning moves from specific
theory to a true and specific conclusion. theory into a generalised conclusion
Involves making a logical argument, drawing Involves looking
conclusions, and applying generalisations to for patterns and making generalisations.
specific situations.
EG: EG:
The first pen I took from my bag is black. The first pen I took from my bag is black.
All pens in my bag are black. The pen I took from my bag is black.
Therefore, Therefore, all pens in my bag are black.
the second pen I take from my bag will be
black too.
PRACTICE:
USING INDUCTIVE OR DEDUCTIVE REASONING?
PRACTICE:
USING DEDUCTIVE REASONING?
► Use Deductive Reasoning and the distributive
property to justify.
► Provide the reasoning for each step.
PRACTICE:
USING INDUCTIVE OR
DEDUCTIVE REASONING
3.2.2. PROBLEM SOLVING
3.2.3. DECISION MAKING
3.2.3. DECISION MAKING
EG:
► Let us say we need to buy a pair of shoes.
► The price tag for Pair A is $220. Pair B and Pair C
are $320 and $250, respectively.
► The brand for Pair B is more well known than the
other two and has 30% discount .
► Which pair of shoes should we buy?
3.2.3. DECISION MAKING
7 stages in Decision Making Application
Step 1: Identify the Problem Which shoes to buy?
Step 2: Gather Information 3 options : Price and Brand
Step 3 and 4: Identify Alternatives Compare and analyse pros and cons of each
and Evaluate the Alternative options
Solutions
Stage 5: Select the Best Solution Go with Pair B
Stage 6 Implement Decision Buy Pair B w/ discount and brand
Stage 7 Evaluate the Result Use and evaluate.
3.3. NUMERACY CONTINUUM AND
EVERYDAY LIFE
► Apply numeracy skills across a variety of real
life aspects and function responsibly in life and
career.
► Explore mathematics applications in real life.
3.3.1. NUMBERS AND
OPERATIONS
► Real numbers, natural numbers, integers,
rational and irrational numbers are the most
basic types of numbers taught in classroom
mathematics.
► 4 basic operations which can be performed on
all real numbers are addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division.
3.3.1 Numbers and Operations
Example 3.4.
► Eric is a beekeeper. Last year, he harvested
1,452kg of raw honey. This year, he bought
some new hives and increased his honey
harvest by 2,385kg.
► How many kg of honey did Eric harvest this
year?
3.3.1 Numbers and Operations
Example 3.5
► In an entrepreneurship workshop, there are 1500 participants with 875 of
them are female, how many are male?
Example 3.6
► Jack filled 50 plates with cookies. He put 5 cookies on each plate. How
many cookies did Jack use?
Example 3.7
► Ali picked 350 oranges from his farm. He needs to divide the oranges into
bags to sell at the market. Pak Ali wants to put the same number of oranges
in 70 bags.
► How many oranges can Ali put in each bag?
3.3.2. PATTERNS
► Patterns and number patterns are the foundation in
mathematics - considered as the building blocks in
understanding numbers.
► Recognising and understanding number sequences
help us to generate algebraic formulae.
► With patterns, we can learn to predict the future
and discover new things and hence better
understand the world around us.
3.3.2. PATTERNS
3.3.2. PATTERNS
3.3.2. PATTERNS
Example 3.8 Page 67
► This example shows the use of patterns.
► Let us say it costs $20 for admission to a paintball
game and an additional $5 for every round of balls.
This relationship can be represented by the
expression 5b + 20.
► Use this pattern rule to complete the table of values
below.
3.3.2. PATTERNS
3.3.3. FRACTIONS, DECIMAL
NUMBERS AND PERCENTAGE
► A fraction represents a part of a whole
recognised by the slash written between the
two numbers.
► A top number, the numerator and a bottom
number, the denominator.
► For example, ¾ is a fraction.
3.3.3 Fractions, Decimal Numbers
and Percentages
► Example 3.9
► Albert works as a salesman in a property firm.
If the commission rate is 4%, how much
commission does he make on property sales
worth 300,000$?
3.3.3 Fractions, Decimal Numbers
and Percentages
Exercise : SELF-CHECK 3.4 / Page 69
► Imagine you bought four items costing $36.99, $22.99, $16.85 and $8.25
from an online shop and the postage is $10.90.
► Round these prices to the nearest $ and estimate for the total cost.
Exercise : SELF-CHECK 3.4 / Page 69
► A group of 480 adults were asked to provide reasons why they decided to
enroll as OUM learners.
► Of the 480 learners, 240 learners justified they want to enhance their career,
160 signed up with OUM due to its flexibility and 80 enrolled because of
the affordable fees offered.
► Calculate the percentage for each group.
3.3. NUMERACY CONTINUUM
AND EVERYDAY LIFE
3.3.4. INTERPRETING STATISTICAL
INFORMATION
► In everyday life, data and statistics are
presented in the news and media on various
topics, as in health, education, economics,
politics, environmental issues and many more.
► Interpreting the statistical information
including charts and infographics allows us to
make conclusions and decisions.
3.3.4. INTERPRETING
STATISTICAL INFORMATION
► EG: Consider this situation you want to buy a
can of drink. You can read on the food label
that provides the nutrition data on the content
of the drink.
► Allows you to make an informed choice
whether to buy the drink.
3.3.4 Interpreting Statistical
Information
Example 3.9/ Page 70
► The following infographic shows the air
pollution in Vietnam.
► Analyse the trend and difference you find in
recent 5 years
3.3.4 Interpreting Statistical
Information
Example 3.9/ Page 70
► The following infographic shows the c of
Malaysian citizens by ethnic group for the year
2017 and 2018.
► Calculate the population of Malaysian citizens
in the year 2017 and 2018. Comment on the
difference.
3.3.5. MEASUREMENT
► Measurement provides a standard for things and
processes in everyday life.
► Essential in science and technical fields and to almost
all everyday activities.
► Calculations involving weight, height, area, volume,
time are required in real life contexts and enable us to
work out accurate amounts.
► EG: Monitoring our body mass index (BMI), we need
to measure our own body weight and height using
measurement tools accurately.
3.3.5. MEASUREMENT
► EG: House Layout ► EG: Understand a map
3.3.5. MEASUREMENT
3.3.6. MULTIPLES, FACTORS
AND PRIMES
► Understanding multiples and factors help us
to easily navigate number relationships in the
real world without relying on our calculator or
phone to do the work for us.
► A prime number is a whole number greater
than 1 whose only factors are 1 and itself.
Topic 3: SUMMARY
► Numeracy is defined as the ability to understand and work with numbers.
► Innumeracy is defined as a lack of ability to understand and use numbers
in calculations.
► Being numerate allows us to function responsibly in everyday life and
contribute effectively to society.
► The fundamental aspects of numeracy are mathematical reasoning,
problem solving and decision making.
► Inductive reasoning involves looking for patterns and making
generalisations.
► Deductive reasoning involves making a logical argument, drawing
conclusions, and applying generalisations to specific situations.
Topic 3: SUMMARY
► The four stages in Polya’s problem solving:
understanding problem, devise a plan, execute plan
and look back.
► There are seven main steps involved in decision
making.
► Several daily life practices involves numbers and
operations, patterns, fraction and decimal
numbers, measurement and multiple factors
and primes.
Discussion
► Write a paragraph to depict and
explain the graphs by applying your
understanding of numeracy.
Sources: Global Warming and Agriculture: Impact Estimates by Country, by William R. Cline, Peterson Institute for International
Economics, 2007; and Climate Change: Impact on Agriculture and Costs of Adaptation, by Gerald C. Nelson et al., International Food
► Attendance Check: (Late) 9/1/2021
► Duy Vinh, Yen Linh, Phuong Linh, Duong,
Phuc
