In 1998, I landed my first real media job — as a content producer at PilotOnline and HamptonRoads.com, websites for The Virginian-Pilot, a daily newspaper in Norfolk, Va. My first assignment was to develop and launch a schools section, featuring interactive content like a lesson plan database, information about local schools and the results of statewide test scores.
Each year, I’d get notice that the Standards of Learning test scores were about to be released. I’d have three days to download the data, organize it into a database and then output it on the site. When the information went live, visitors could look up their school and see results in a variety of subject areas. They could even answer sample questions to see how they would fare.
I had a blast. Seriously.
For the first time in my career, I was combining my degree (math) with my passion (journalism). And it was fun.
Fact is, there’s lots and lots of math in publishing and media. But every single day, some poor English major is shocked to find out that he needs to add, subtract, multiply, divide or — oh my! — even employ an equation or two in order to do his job well.
But math and media go together like the Pope and his funny hat. Math helps readers understand complex information, and it helps writers and producers create content that people want to read or watch or listen to. Math helps publishers save money. Math helps readers scan the newspaper over a bowl of Cheerios — and get the gist of the story.
Here are some examples:
1. Instead of publishing the entire Census results, a newspaper crunches the numbers and creates colorful charts that are easy to read and understand.
2. Meteorologists don’t guess the weather forecast; they review previous data and apply what they know about weather to predict when we’re about to be hit with 17 inches of snow.
3. When you read a book, the text is arranged so that the number of pages is divisible by four — and you’re not skipping over blank pages.
4. A website will average the starred reviews of a movie so that you don’t have to read each and every reviewers opinion.
And then there are the countless examples that most readers, viewers and listeners aren’t even aware of.
Here at Math for Grownups, March is devoted to publishing and media. Throughout the month, you’ll meet folks in these industries and learn how they use math in their jobs: like Jennifer Lawler, who is an imprint manager for my publisher, Adams Media, and Tony Pann, on-air meteorologist at WBAL-TV. And of course we’ll delve into a variety of topics — from making graphs to critically analyzing a reporter’s numbers.
Whether you’re a writer or broadcaster or just a consumer of media, make sure you come back this month. You just might learn something — or discover that you use math all the time.
Is there a topic you’d like me to cover this month? If so, drop me a line, and I’ll see what I can do. Or just post a comment with your suggestions.
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