BAE Systems research shows 35% of adults rely on a calculator to add up past 100
The results of the study by YouGov of more than 2,000 adults was timed to coincide with the launch of BAE Systems’ nationwide Schools Roadshow today which, together with the Royal Air Force, aims to challenge 25,000 young people’s perceptions about maths and how it relates to engineering in the real world.
While over a third of Britons have jobs that involve working with numbers on a daily basis (38%), 15% are embarrassed by their lack of arithmetic skills. Despite 50% of those polled acknowledging that some of life’s most important decisions require a good grip on numbers, nearly a third (30%) said their own formative experiences with maths in the classroom had been uninspiring. Unsurprisingly, 17% wish they had taken maths lessons more seriously during their school days.
A quick-fire times table test in which respondents were asked online to answer random multiplication questions without the use of a calculator revealed that the 11 times table is the most difficult with one in five (19%) failing to complete it correctly. Respondents from the North struggled the most with 27% unable to do the maths.
The research also highlighted some regional differences. Those living in London appear to be better at maths than those living in Wales, with only 15% of Londoners admitting they rely on a calculator for simple addition and subtraction compared to over a quarter (26%) of those living in Wales.
It also appears that with age comes wisdom, with only 13% of over 55’s faltering with the nation’s most troublesome times table compared to 22% of those under 45. Furthermore, the nation’s older generation also felt more confident with their arithmetic abilities, with only 10% claiming they find maths difficult.
The research suggested that parents often look to their children to tackle tricky sums. Almost one in three parents (28%) believe that their children's mathematical abilities far exceed their own and it seems Scottish children are more adept than most, with 33% of their mums and dads agreeing that their children leave them behind when it comes to mental-arithmetic. Worryingly though, it would seem that being good at maths while still at school doesn’t necessarily last into early adulthood as those aged 18-25 are far more reliant on calculators (33%) than any other age group.
The Roadshow has proved to be a big hit with Emily Salamon-Andrew, a year 7 pupil at the St Marylebone Church of England School who said: "We use maths all the time for things like telling the time and measuring, and the Roadshow showed us how important good number skills are for the future, as well as making us laugh!"
Nigel Whitehead, group managing director at BAE Systems, said: "Maths and science are crucial to the success of Britain's youth and our nation's future but it appears that we start to lose arithmetic skills as we grow up. Good maths skills open up so many opportunities both personally and professionally. With increased competition for jobs it is more important than ever that students keep working at maths and the sciences – continued study of these subjects will likely lead to rewarding and sustained employment in the engineering and technology sectors.”
Wing Commander Mike Harrop, chief of staff at the Royal Air Force College, said: "The Royal Air Force is delighted to be able to continue working with BAE Systems in this critically important aspect of education. Maths skills are an essential element of everyday life and underpin engineering and technical careers throughout the UK and globally. The BAE Systems and RAF Roadshow demonstrates that maths can be fun, as well as showcasing the diverse appeal of STEM careers."
Jem Stansfield, well known science and technology TV presenter and 2013 Schools Roadshow ambassador, added: "Maths is an incredibly important part of everyday life with some of the most common yet important decisions requiring good numerical abilities – even though we may not have realised it when we were kids. Whilst many students find the subject uninspiring, the BAE Systems and RAF Schools Roadshow really demonstrates what an interesting and exciting topic maths can be!"
Partner organisation Engineering UK’s Paul Jackson said: “Engineering skills are going to be in great demand in the coming years and our figures show that we need to double the number of recruits into engineering to meet that demand. That means laying the groundwork early, ensuring that young people understand the diversity of engineering careers available, the variety of routes to those careers and the academic choices they need to make to keep the option of a career in engineering open. That’s where programmes like the BAE Systems and RAF Schools Roadshow come in, taking engineering into schools so that young people understand what engineering is all about. We’re delighted that the Roadshows will be backed up with robust and consistent careers information developed by Tomorrow’s Engineers.”
TV presenter inventor Jem Stansfield launches the BAE Systems and RAF Schools Roadshow
