Driving from Norwich to Doncaster one warm, sunny afternoon recently, I was struck by the number of bits of numerical information a driver is expected to process simultaneously these days. I have a fairly modest car, with a basic, plug-in satnav, and air conditioning. At one point on my journey, as usual not breaking the speed limit, I found myself looking at all nineteen of these numbers:
15:35
55
80
60
3 × 1000
306
21
013399
¾
2
R3
A17
6.5
A1
5
0:56
16:31
12V
120W
Can you work out what each one of these was telling me? The information given in the opening paragraph may help!
Looking at all this numerical data, I wondered how, say, some Year 6 children would get on trying to crack this? If anyone out there tries this as a problem-solving task with a class, I'd be interested to know how they do!
I'll give the solution in a week or so.
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I've just come across your blog and this particular post made me laugh. My son (4) is obsessed with the numerical data that is evident whilst we are in the car.....i will enjoy using this post to blow his mind about all the numbers we can see, although i imagine i will line to regret it!!!! Thank you for making such an accessible maths blog.... trainee teacher/overwhelmed mother
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