Aberdeen Standard Investments backs Scottish Maths Week to change perceptions

Aberdeen Standard Investments is using the platform, which is being promoted up and down the country from 11 – 17 September, to demonstrate that sound maths skills help in daily situations.

The firm has devised an online quiz to show youngsters – and adults - that lessons learned in the classroom can set them up for life.

It sets out a series of everyday problems, from working out sales discounts to increasing recipes when cooking for large groups of friends, to testing their arithmetic skills.

The quiz then goes on to show formulas and problem-solving tips so that they can successfully answer similar questions in future.

Aberdeen Standard Investments staff are being encouraged to try the quiz for themselves and share it with their family and friends to deliver on the Scottish Maths Week aim of helping everyone view maths more positively.

Martin Gilbert, co-chief executive of Aberdeen Standard Investments, said: “There may be a misconception that maths as a subject is only relevant if you intend to go into business or develop a career, such as accountancy, for which you need a head for figures. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Maths is a foundation skill which is essential to so many aspects of our daily lives, regardless of what career path you follow.

“Anything that helps to stimulate interest in maths, which makes it fun and challenging, has to be applauded and we are only too happy to support the inaugural Scottish Maths Week.

“I hope that by the end of the campaign, school children in particular will have a very different view of a subject that will give them skills for life.”

Aberdeen Standard Investment’s support for Scottish Maths Week follows Aberdeen Asset Management’s backing of the Making Maths Count initiative at the Scottish Open at Dundonald Links earlier this summer.

The firm worked in partnership with the Scottish Government and North Ayrshire Council to ensure that the world’s top golf players had to use their arithmetic skills as well as their talents with golf clubs to navigate the course.

Each of the 18 pin flags at the championships – attended by the likes of Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler - had mathematic calculations depicting their number, designed by children from primary and secondary schools across North Ayrshire.

The aim of Scottish Maths Week is to show everyone – young and old – the benefits, joy and beauty of maths. The Scottish Government has published a number of resources on the websitewww.gov.scot/mathsweek to encourage schools, colleges, universities, families and communities to take part.

Aberdeen Standard Investment’s online maths skills quiz can be accessed here.