There are five maths (numeracy) problems below. You need to complete them using the EEB308 Assignment 1 Forum to share your experience with the other students in this subject. The process of completing the maths task will make up half the mark for each problem – remember to show your working or describe your method of approaching each task selected. The other half of the marks are assigned from your comments and discussion.

1. Fibonacci's rabbit problem: How many pairs of rabbits will there be after a year if it is assumed that every month each pair produces one new pair, which begins to bear two young two months after its own birth? (You may be interested in researching Fibonacci). Assume you start the year with one newborn pair. 2. Loose almonds in a supermarket cost $6.48 for 250gm, or you can buy 375 gm of pre-packaged almonds for $10.65. Which is the better buy? How might you calculate this in a shop?

3. Mary was prescribed a medicine in liquid form. It cost her $36.85. The bottle contains 300ml and she has been advised by her doctor to take 20 ml three times every day. How long will her medicine last and what is the daily cost?

4. A mine workers' transport vehicle can carry 36 workers. All workers need to be transported to the mine daily across a 90 minutes period: 6.30-8.00 in the morning, and 4.00-5.30 in the afternoon. The round trip takes 15 minutes. If 1134 workers need to be transported every day, morning and evening, how many vehicles would be required assuming the mine vehicles are the only option for workers to get to the worksite?

5. Question members of your family or a group of five colleagues or friends (whoever they are, you must survey five people) to discover how many hours per day they spend on the internet each day across a one-week period. Display your results in a table or graph and be prepared to discuss your findings with others. NB – remember to show your working or describe your method of approaching each task. Then comment justifying the approach you took and / or discussion on your experience. Getting the correct answer is not the main point of this activity. The reason this is assigned is to give you the opportunity to reflect on the way your adult numeracy students may feel and respond when faced with maths exercises and problems. This assignment provides an opportunity for discussion and reflection during the first month or so of the session. You are required to cut and paste from the Forum in to a word document and submit your work as part of Assignment 1 (Total of 10 Marks)

A summary of your work – including the five completed tasks, discussion and commentary on the work of other students and your own reflections must be submitted as Part A with the Essay from Part B.

Please check that you: Describe the significant features of approaching and solving numeracy problems

Engage with other learners through the forum

Appropriately address each of the maths problems Show understanding that the process of completing maths tasks can be varied and complex to some adult learners

Assignment 1 Part B: essay (40%) To be numerate is more than being able to manipulate numbers, or even being able to 'succeed' in school or university mathematics. Numeracy is a critical awareness which builds bridges between mathematics and the real world, with all its diversity…………. Unlike mathematics, numeracy doesn't pretend to be objective and value-free. (Yasukawa & Johnston, 1994)

Beginning from the perspective on numeracy expressed in the quotation above, discuss and define adult numeracy as a concept for teachers of adult numeracy in the context of your teaching and learning. Use the theoretical approaches discussed in the opening chapter of your set text, Foundation numeracy in context, as a guide to some of the key ideas, and apply these ideas to your own reading, teaching and learning in numeracy and/or mathematics education. (maximum 1500 words for this section)