Contextualization

Introduction

Mathematics is a fundamental discipline for our lives and is present in all our daily activities. Within this discipline, addition and subtraction are basic operations that form the basis for more complex mathematical concepts. The ability to add and subtract correctly is an essential skill that becomes increasingly important as we progress in our educational journey.

There are several methods to solve addition and subtraction problems, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. A deep understanding of these operations will allow us to solve a variety of mathematical problems and is an integral skill that should not be overlooked. In this project, we will explore these fundamental concepts and apply our knowledge to practical real-world problems.

Addition and subtraction are inverse operations in mathematics, which means that one can undo the other. The act of adding something can be reversed by subtracting the same amount. This relationship is one of the reasons why addition and subtraction are so important and fundamental to mathematics.

Relevance

Mathematics is a universal language that allows us to describe, model, and make predictions about the world around us. The ability to perform addition and subtraction operations accurately has practical applications in a variety of fields, including sciences, engineering, economics, business, and more.

From grocery shopping to managing personal finances, the ability to add and subtract correctly is a skill that we all use almost daily, often without even realizing it. Furthermore, from a broader perspective, the ability to deal with numbers and perform basic calculations is a key skill for many careers and an important part of understanding the world.

Practical Activity

Project Title: "Operations in Practice: Addition and Subtraction in the Real World"

Project Objective

Apply the basic operations of addition and subtraction in real-world scenarios, creating a project that demonstrates the practical use of these operations in various everyday situations.

Detailed Project Description

This project consists of creating a "Math Fair" with a station dedicated to everyday problems involving addition and subtraction.

Each group must choose an area of everyday life (for example, grocery shopping, money management, travel planning, etc.) and create a series of activities or games that emphasize the importance and application of addition and subtraction in that context.

For example, for the theme "grocery shopping," the group can create a game where participants have to add and subtract product prices to stay within a defined budget. Or for the theme "travel planning," the group can create a challenge where participants have to calculate distances, add and subtract travel times, etc.

Necessary Materials

• Office supplies (paper, pens, pencils, etc.)
• Internet access for research and preparation
• Specific materials according to the chosen theme (for example, supermarket ad clippings, travel spreadsheets, etc.)

Project Step-by-Step

1. Group Formation

Students will be grouped into teams of 3 to 5 students.

2. Theme Selection and Planning

Each group will choose a daily life theme that involves the addition and subtraction operation. They must plan the series of activities or games they will create to demonstrate the practical use of these operations in their chosen theme.

3. Research and Preparation

Each group must research their chosen theme and, based on this research, prepare the activities or games for the "Math Fair." Students must ensure that they are correctly applying addition and subtraction operations in their project.

4. Project Development

The groups will then develop the practical project, which will be a station at the "Math Fair." Each station must have clear instructions on how to participate in the activities or games, and must clearly demonstrate the application of addition and subtraction.

5. Presentation

Each group will present their station at the "Math Fair," explaining the concept, the creation process, and the importance of using addition and subtraction in their chosen theme.

6. Report Development

After the "Math Fair," each group must write a report on the project, including the theory involved, the development process, the challenges faced, and the solutions found.

Project Delivery

• Practical demonstration: each group must prepare an interactive station for the "Math Fair" that exemplifies the use of addition and subtraction in real-world scenarios.
• Presentation: groups must explain their project, the importance of the operations used, and how they apply to real-world scenarios.
• Written report: each group must elaborate a detailed report on the project. This report must be structured with:
  • Introduction: The student must contextualize the theme, its relevance and application in the real world, and the objective of this project.
  • Development: The student must explain the theory behind the central theme of the project, explain the activity in detail, indicate the methodology used, and finally present and discuss the results obtained.
  • Conclusion: The student must conclude the work by summarizing its main points, explaining the learnings obtained, and drawing conclusions about the project.
  • Bibliography: The student must indicate the sources they relied on to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

The report must demonstrate a clear understanding of addition and subtraction operations, how they were applied in the project, and how the experience contributed to the practical understanding of these operations by the students.