This activity is an ideal opportunity to use the real-world context of logistics as an application of solving multi-step mathematical problems and evaluating the outcomes. It is one of three mathematical problem-solving activities with a...

This activity is an ideal opportunity to use the real-world context of logistics to demonstrate the practical use of greedy...

This activity is an ideal opportunity to use the real-world context of logistics to develop students' use of formal...

The aim of a minimum spanning tree is to connect every vertex of the network using the edges having the least possible total weight. The task requires students to analyse information about a town centre and suggest which roads should be pedestrianized. [

Minimum spanning tree: presentation...

In this activity from the Nuffield Foundation, students match descriptions of a variety of real scenarios involving motion with the corresponding velocity–time and displacement–time graphs. Several issues will be discussed while completing this task and students will also have to consider how realistic or...

From the Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving project by Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI), this activity shows that it is not possible to be certain what the market will do next. The mathematical ideas covered are:
• Time series
• Percentage change
• Random walks
• Geometric...

From the Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving project by Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI), this activity shows that derivatives can help to manage risk. The market in derivatives has grown enormously in recent years. On average, speculators break even. The mathematical ideas covered are:
•...

This excel file looks at using the sine curve to model the water depth in a tidal river.

The first interactive sheet shows how the Earth’s orbit around the Sun can be modelled by the sine curve. One or two cycles can...

This interactive program deals with the modulus function applied to linear, quadratic, reciprocal and sine functions. The graph of each function is shown as well as the unreflected sections of the graphs.

The first...

This resource, from Mathematics for Engineering Exemplars, shows the application of mathematics within the mechanical and electrical engineering power industry. Here students learn how statistical models are used to set alarms which detect changes in vibration above normal values. The alarms highlight that...

From the Integrating Mathematical Problem Solving project by Mathematics for Education and Industry (MEI), this activity for post-16 students shows how money which circulates has a greater effect than could be expected. The activity starts by students predicting on what they will spend their wages when they get a...

A detailed investigation to measure the wavelength of sodium light.  This could be tied into red shift and the absorption spectrum.  Some specific equipment like a travelling microscope is required but should be accessible for most.

Mathcentre provide this numeracy refresher resource, which was developed and trialled by staff of the University of Birmingham Careers Centre and subsequently used widely throughout the HE Sector. There are sections which review decimals, fractions, averages, percentages and ratios, making it a useful resource for...

This resource contains two excel programs with interactive spreadsheets dealing with linear inequalities in one or two variables.

Trial and...

This RISP activity Polynomial Equations with Unit Coefficients sets students the task of finding the roots of polynomials with a large number of terms. Students are...