Math Made Easy: The everyday magic of Mensuration formulas

Almost all of us grumble when it comes to Math and its importance once we are no longer in school. Comments like: ’Why do we need to study this topic? It has no values outside of class XII’ and is commonplace. But this is far from true. Every Math topic that we study in school – from Addition to Multiplication to complex topics like Calculus comes in handy as we move to higher classes and take up professions like construction, designing, and even landscaping.

One such topic taught under the Central Board of Secondary Education is Mensuration which is taught in class VIII. Remembering Mensuration formulas — or at least having a basic understanding of them — can be beneficial in everyday life and various professional contexts, even beyond the confines of a classroom.

Let’s take an example

When you decide to paint a room, you need to calculate the surface area of the walls and possibly the ceiling that needs painting. Here’s how you’d typically use mensuration formulas:

·         Measure the length and height of each wall in metres or feet.

·         Calculate the area of each wall by multiplying the length by the height.

·         Add up the areas of all the walls to get the total wall surface area.

·         Subtract the area of doors and windows to find the actual paintable area.

·         Use the coverage rate of the paint (found on the paint can or from the manufacturer) which tells you how much area a single liter of paint will cover.

·         For example, if a wall is 3 metres wide and 2.5 meters high, its area is: 3 m × 2.5 m = 7.5 m sq

·         Repeat this for each wall and add the results. If the paint covers 10 m sq per litre, divide the total area by 10 to find out how many litres of paint you need.

According to Rinki Verma, a Math teacher at Apeejay School, Noida, knowing formulas is crucial for several reasons. First, formulas in Mensuration are used to calculate the area, volume, and surface area of different shapes and objects. This is important in various practical scenarios such as construction, interior design, landscaping, and manufacturing,” the educator said.

For example, if you want to know how big a carpet you have to buy for the room; it is necessary to know the area of the room. For this, you must know the formula of Area = L x w. Once you know the area of the room you can now buy a carpet that will fit the room.

Second, builders and architects use mensuration formulas to calculate areas for floors and walls, as well as volumes for materials like concrete and other construction substances. “Third, designers calculate space for furniture placement, fabric measurements, and wall coverings using formulas for area and perimeter. Fourth, gardeners and landscapers use area calculations to plan garden layouts, calculate the amount of soil or mulch needed, and estimate water usage,” Verma explained.

Mensuration formulas, Verma shared, are also useful in everyday life like determining the volume of a container for storage or even calculating the amount of fabric needed for a project. “From painting a room to laying down flooring, knowing the area and volume formulas helps estimate material quantities accurately. The same holds when it comes to buying furniture or appliances, knowing the measurements of your space helps ensure a good fit,” Verma said.

Understanding these concepts fosters a quantitative way of thinking about the world, which helps make a variety of practical decisions and estimations in daily life.