More on math and farming....

I guess I will be getting a reputation of only thinking about farming, but it is my life and I teach in high school that is probably more than half farm raised students (sorry!).  Here is a good read on how math is important in farming.  It is something that I will probably use with my classes in the future.  

http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/RR/database/RR.09.05/glydon1.html

A quote from the report..."The math used in farming is sometimes unnoticed.  The calculations and formulas require mathematical knowledge and farmers use their problem solving and money management abilities daily.  Farmers use more advanced math to calibrate machines and irrigation pumps.  Basic geometry, proportions, multiplication, and measurement skills are used everyday by farmers."  

The report gives lots of examples that you could use in a math class, from rates, to percents, volume, formulas uses when spraying crops, profit problems that related to linear relations, how farmers create mathematical systems of equations and inequalities to help them make decisions about which crops to plant in which fields, etc.

An interesting little read for sure....