Applied Mathematics in the Secondary School

Abstract

It is suggested that applied mathematics in the secondary school should be based on the practical investigation of everyday situations which lead to the setting up of various mathematical models. These situations should be selected so that problems of social and psychological importance are considered as well as dynamical and statistical problems. Activities of this kind in the areas of classical mechanics, networks, information theory and linear systems are outlined. These lead to models involving many different branches of mathematics. A syllabus embodying these suggestions is proposed.