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Real-Life Maths: How Mathematics Helps Us Understand Our World

These collections of resources have been created by NRICH in collaboration with researchers on the front line of using mathematics to help with real-world challenges.

The resources, interactivities and videos in these collections give students themselves a chance to get hands-on with applications of mathematics - from exploring how mathematical modelling can help us tackle infectious disease, or how sifting through different presentations of evidence can help us when we need to make decisions that affect our lives, to how the mathematics we learn at school both relates to beautiful fractals and helps to keep electricity networks running.

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A 3D illustration of colourful germ cells.

Contagious Maths: Understanding the Spread of Infectious Diseases

Age: 11-14

This collection of resources explores ways in which mathematics can help to improve our understanding of the spread of diseases in our communities.

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A person skydiving with a blue and white parachute.

Should I Risk It?

Age: 11-16

The media is full of stories about risk. These resources explore how understanding the maths behind the headlines can help us when we make decisions.

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Disease Dynamics - \understanding \the \spread \of \diseases

Disease Dynamics - Understanding the Spread of Diseases

Age: 14-16

A chance to explore the mathematics of networks as applied to epidemics and the spread of disease.

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Adventures with Complex Numbers

Adventures With Complex Numbers

Age: 14-18

This collection is designed to give an introductory taste of complex numbers.