The ‘Discovering Mathematics’ module has encouraged me to identify and explore mathematical concepts that occur regularly throughout our lives. I have found it very interesting to do this with things I encounter everyday and wouldn’t normally associate with mathematics.

PARENTING

I have a two year old son who is now at the stage where he is exploring his surroundings, asking questions, solving basic problems and interacting with others around him. When I was sitting with him the other day, playing with his toys, I decided to look at how many of his toys incorporated some sort of mathematical concepts. The books that I would read to him encouraged him to identify shapes, count objects, try help the character solve problems like getting through a maze. One of his favourites is playing with shape toys and fitting them into a container. He enjoys sorting objects into shape, size or colour and I often find him counting his way up the stairs to his bedroom. All of these are very basic mathematical concepts: shape, organising and sorting, counting, simple problem solving etc. When reflecting on this, what hit home was the notion that my son enjoys doing all of these activities, he doesn’t shy away from it. The activities excite him and give him a sense of achievement and I wonder if these feelings and motivation leave children when they experience the mathematics curriculum when they start school.

 

HAIR & MAKEUP

Anyone that knows me well knows that I am obsessed with hair and makeup!! I am always waiting for payday to come so that I can visit the local MAC counter and purchase the latest lipstick or foundation. I decided to explore makeup and hair further to see if I could identify any mathematical concepts that are involved in these processes.

Hairdressers need to have a sound level of confidence and competence when dealing with basic mathematical principles. In their profession, they regularly work with; angles when cutting hair, ratios and percentages when mixing colours together, and symmetry when finishing off styles.

The following link shows a short video clip of how the mathematical concepts discussed above can be applied in hairdressing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQGW6FJWfDM

In makeup, concepts such as angles, symmetry, geometry and shape are regularly used to achieve the ‘perfect look’. The following video shows how makeup artists used measurements, and a compass-like tool, to apply makeup in the 1930’s for women with different shaped faces. The artist would measure the distance between the forehead and bridge of the nose and then from the nose to the chin. These measurements would then act as a geometrical guideline for outlining where to apply makeup to the cheeks, eyes and lips.

 

All girls know about the ‘Big C’ when talking makeup. It usually is accompanied by a picture of Kim Kardashian. Yes, I am talking about contouring. If you are a man reading this, then you will probably want to switch off now. Contouring is a work of art. It is a mission and can sometimes feel like mission impossible. Contouring works to give shape to an area of your face and then enhance your facial structure through makeup. It can give the illusion of higher cheekbones, slimmer nose and chin, and it can be used to help alter your face shape. Similarly to how makeup was done in the 1930’s, contouring draws on concepts such as shape, symmetry and measurement.

                             

Links

Cut it out and curl it up – Maths Careers 

Geometric beauty