Go Figure!  Exploring Math in Business^TM

JA Go Figure! allows students to experience how math may be used in their future careers and personal business transactions, with a focus on free enterprise concepts and local employment opportunities. This program is designed for middle school math classes.

Go Figure!  Exploring Math in Business^TM Activities

JA Go Figure! Exploring Math in Business introduces business concepts through math exercises.

Unit: Math in the Workforce 

Students increase their awareness of the amount of math that must be studied to enter various occupations. They discuss a variety of careers, key characteristics associated with those careers, and factors that help in making career choices.

Key Learning Objectives  The students will...

• gain a greater awareness of the importance of math in preparing for many jobs

• recognize different factors that may influence career decisions

Unit: Numbers and Operations 
Students practice a wide range of business math and banking activities to help them realize how they will use math in their future careers and personal lives. 

Key Learning Objectives   The students will...

• write spreadsheet and computer program statements

• identify examples of fixed and variable costs

• distinguish between simple and compound interest

• fill out deposit slips, write checks, and maintain a check register

• complete an IRS form 1040 EZ

Unit: Functions, Graphs, and Tables 

Students develop their skills in comprehending algebraic functions and using these functions to create a variety of mathematical charts, graphs, and tables. 

Key Learning Objectives   The students will...

• gather, organize, and use data to construct bar graphs and pie charts

• interpret graphs

Unit: Measurements, Accuracy, and Precision 

Students develop and reinforce skills in measurement techniques through taking inventory and product measurements. 

Key Learning Objectives   The students will...

• compute area, weight, and other values of tangible products

• calculate the circumference of a circle

• find linear distances using circle measurements and calculations

Unit: Sampling, Averaging, and Estimating 
Students take statistical samples, calculate averages, and use estimation techniques in complex and technical business simulations. 

Key Learning Objectives   The students will...

• estimate net profit based on fixed and variable costs

• estimate a monthly budget

• compare estimated salary and expenses for various careers

• use data to analyze cost effectiveness of two different contract terms

Unit: Ratios and Proportions 
Students review ratios and proportions in everyday living and business and technical situations. 

Key Learning Objectives   The students will...

• recognize and name equivalent ratios

• read maps and convert map distance to miles using a scale to measure distance

• demonstrate clear and precise verbal instructions

• interpret and compare ratios

Unit: Area, Perimeter, Volume and Spatial Visualization 
Students will develop and reinforce their skills in making correct measurements of various items related to floor plans and buildings. 

Key Learning Objectives   The students will...

• select and arrange furniture in a room based on need, interest, cost, and area available

• recognize and read plan and elevation drawings

• estimate building calculations to determine least waste of materials

Unit: Probability and Statistics 
Students understand and appreciate the usefulness of probability and statistics in everyday living and in a variety of business and technical situations.

Key Learning Objectives   The students will...

• find the probability of a given outcome

• explain the use and importance of statistics

• construct and apply Pascal's Triangle to compute possible outcomes

• calculate mean, median, and mode

• calculate and use percentages

• use sampling to make predictions

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Go Figure!  Exploring Math in Business^TM enhances the students' learning of the following concepts and skills:

Concepts

• Accuracy 

• Bar graph 

• Career 

• Diameter 

• Estimation 

• Fixed costs 

• Income 

• Interest

• Inventory 

• Market research 

• Odds 

• Percentage 

• Production 

• Profit 

• Quality 

• Ratios 

• Statistics 

• Variable costs 

• Yield

Skills

• Analyzing information

• Budgeting 

• Calculating 

• Comparing 

• Drawing conclusions

• Estimating 

• Graphing 

• Math computations

• Measuring 

• Planning 

• Ranking 

• Teamwork

• Visualizing

All JA programs have technology enhancements and are designed to support the skills and competencies outlined in the SCANS (Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) report. These programs also augment the school-based, work-based, and connecting activities for communities with school-to-work initiatives.
  

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