Category: Math at Work Monday

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Math at Work Monday: Aliya the staffing agency branch manager

With unemployment rates at record levels, temporary agencies are busier than ever.  I had the pleasure of speaking with Aliya Purtee who is the branch manager at Patrick Staffing, a temporary staffing agency.  She not only helps people get placed in jobs but also plays a big part in making sure people are paid.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

I am a branch manager and a payroll specialist at a staffing agency.  As branch manager, I oversee three employees.  An aspect of my role is to listen to the needs of the staff,  and then I ensure that my staff fulfills their needs.  A big part of my job is processing  payroll for about 100 employees each week. This includes checking time cards to make sure there are no additional errors. Also, I engage with approximately 50 customers per week and then our branch takes applications five days a week.

When do you use basic math in your job?

I consistently use basic math skills in my job.  My job consists of calculating hours for payroll, pay and bill rates. Also, I use math to generate company’s markups and to determine a burden rate for worker’s compensation. I use the company’s markup to calculate pay rates and bill rates. Some companies pay a shift premium which also requires calculation.

Do you use any technology (like calculators or computers) to help with this math?

I use a calculator sometimes, but most of the time I do the figures in my head. I enter the figures into the computer. Also, I issue debit cards for the employees that do not have  direct deposit set up. After the time is entered, I print a report that allows me to audit my entries so that I can double check for mistakes.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

If I did not have basic math skills, I could not fulfill my duties at work.

How comfortable with math do you feel?

I am very confident with my math skills.  In my current position I cannot make errors.  If I do, they can have large consequences.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

In high school, I took algebra.  I did not like math in high school, and I refused to challenge myself with advanced classes. I really did not realize how much math is used in our everyday lives. [Tweet this]

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?

I did not have to learn new math skills at my job.

The people who manage payroll could easily go unnoticed — until we didn’t get our paychecks! If you have questions for Aliya, post them in the comments section, and I’ll ask her.

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Math at Work Monday: Sarah the Recycling Truck Driver

You probably see your recycling truck driver every week and yet never think about the ins and outs of their job.  Sarah Penrod is one of those faithful people who picks up your recyclable goods on a regular basis so that you can help make the world a little greener.  I found it interesting to hear about her job.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

I work for South Utah Valley Solid Waste District. I drive a roll-off truck, and I haul recyclable cans and deliver compost. I also work the scale which weighs trucks as they come in and out.

When do you use basic math in your job?

We use math a lot in conversions. We convert pounds into ton and then calculate the price per ton. I also use geometry when I am loading or taking the container off my truck. I have to make sure that I have the right angle so the can is able to slide off correctly rather than on its side.

Do you use any technology (like calculators or computers) to help with this math?

We use a computer to convert most of the weights and dollar amounts for us, but I use geometric principles in my head.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

I have to understand and know my angles and conversions in order to do my job effectively.

How comfortable with math do you feel?

I feel comfortable with basic math, but anything beyond algebra would require some refresher courses.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

I took Algebra and Geometry.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?

No, the math was something that I already knew.

There may be more you’d like to know about Sarah and the job of driving a recycling truck.  This is something you may not have given much thought before. Now that you’re thinking…if you think of anything else you’d like to ask Sarah, just let me know and I’ll catch her in between routes.

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Math at Work Monday: Michelle Matlock the Physician Assistant

Math is important in many careers, but one of the most critical is in the field of medicine.  For example, it’s very important for medicine to be dosed in correct amounts.  I’m thankful that Michelle knows her math since she is assisting physicians on a daily basis.  Even though I hope I don’t have to visit her… it’s good to know she’s there.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

I am a physician assistant. It is an advanced degree where I am able to interview, examine, order tests, perform minor procedures, assist in surgery, develop treatment plans and write prescriptions. Basically, I function much like a doctor.

When do you use basic math in your job?

All the time. I have to quickly convert pounds to kilograms because a lot of medicines are dosed in kilograms. This is especially important in trauma situations. Many medicines are weight-based like 50mg/kg divided in 3 doses per 24 hours. It gets complicated. I’m thankful that I don’t work in pediatrics because there are further calculations involving liquid and then interpreting the directions into teaspoons/mL/cc so that it makes sense to the parent based on the measuring device that is accessible to them.

Do you use any technology to help with this math?

Yes, I use calculators. I also use paper and pencil the old-fashioned way to visualize the conversions. Electronic medical record has settings that help and alert you if what you are ordering doesn’t make sense.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

I don’t know about better, but it’s necessary.

How comfortable with math do you feel?

I rarely feel comfortable, but I feel safe that there are resources available to check my work so that I don’t make mistakes.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

I took Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?  

No, not really. Occasionally I have to brush up on statistics in order to interpret research or scholarly articles and data. There isn’t much of a role for advanced math, such as trigonometry, in my daily job.

Questions for Michelle?  Let me know, and I’ll ask her!

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Math at Work Monday: Rick Scherer the Certified Medical Dosimetrist

In today’s world, we’ve all unfortunately been touched by cancer in one way or another.  We may have stood beside a loved one as they battled the disease, or we may have experienced it first-hand.  Rick at First Dayton Cyberknife encounters cancer patients on a daily basis as he assists in their treatment.  I’m thankful for folks like him who use their math skills effectively to help others.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

I am a certified medical dosimetrist at First Dayton Cyberknife. I work in radiation therapy which is used to treat people who have cancer. I make sure the radiation kills the cancer cells without harming the patient.

The medical dosimetrist is responsible for designing a treatment plan and carrying out calculations with mathematical accuracy for the delivery of radiation treatment based on the oncologist’s prescribed course of therapy. This treatment plan takes into consideration tumor pathology, tumor volume, and inherent dose-limiting structures surrounding the tumor. The treatment plan and radiation field-placement techniques are constructed utilizing sophisticated computer equipment and technology. The medical dosimetrist, along with the radiation oncologist and medical physicist, will work to construct a treatment plan that will meet the prescription written by the oncologist, ensuring that the patient will not lose important healthy organ function and that the radiation delivered will not affect healthy surrounding tissue. These treatment plans not only include the use of radiation but also, in many cases, involve the use of radioactive elements during interstitial brachytherapy procedures. Once the treatment plan is complete, the medical dosimetrist will work closely with the radiation therapists in the implementation of the prescribed plan.

When do you use basic math in your job?

My whole job is math related. I wouldn’t be able to do my job without math skills. Most of my job pertains to the physical properties of radiation and its interactions with matter. There are calculations depending on energy, energy type (photon, electron, gamma ray), size of the treatment field etc. Most of these calculations are done using a treatment planning system (TPS). We use Eclipse, which is from a company called Varian. We also use a Cyberknife, which uses a software called MultiPlan.

Do you use any technology to help with this math?

Most of the time I use specialized software for treatment planning but not always. Some plans have to be hand calculated.  

Sometimes I use a hand calculation to basically determine how long the machine needs to stay on to deliver a certain dose to a certain depth. For example, the radiation oncologist will prescribe 2400 cGy (centigray is a unit of absorbed dose) in 10 treatments (240 cGy per treatment) to a depth of 80% or sometimes he will say 2 centimeterss. I will use a simple formula that we call a hand calc, 240 

80% • 1.002 =299cGy
(where 1.002 is the output factor of field and energy)

1 cGy=1 monitor unit on the machine so the machine would be set to 299 mu’s per treatment for ten treatments for 100% coverage of radiation at the 80% isodose line. This is confusing as heck so I won’t get any deeper with this because I will just go on and on and on….

This is a very simple calculation. Most of the time we aren’t this lucky. Actually most of the time everything is calculated with the Treatment Planning System.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

Math is physics and physics is math, so you can’t have one without the other.

How comfortable with math do you feel?

I feel very comfortable with some math, but with other math I still feel very uncomfortable.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

The highest I took was Algebra II. I barely passed!

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?

I have had to learn new calculations for new procedures depending on the type of treatment. Some treatments use a real source of radiation which has different factors. In college, medical physics and radiation physics were totally new to me. I can’t really compare it to normal math class. Lots of formulas, laws and other “math stuff.”

One law that is common is radiation is called the inverse square law: In physics, an inverse-square law is any physical law stating that a specified physical quantity or intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source of that physical quantity. That is one of the first things you learn.

Want to know more about using math in the fight against cancer?  Let me know, and I’ll be sure to ask Rick your questions.

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Math at Work Monday: Tim Lane the Real Estate Appraiser

Real estate appraisers: whether you love them or hate them, they’re a necessity.  Sometimes we may disagree with their figures, but as Tim Lane shows us, the facts are the facts.  And how does Tim get to those facts? Math of course.  This math has a purpose, backed by meaning, and it’s hands-on.  Tim shows us some of the inside scoop in the field of real estate appraisal.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

The job of a real estate appraiser is to determine what the property is that is being appraised: is the property a single family home, a duplex, an apartment building or something else? As well, what is the home in terms of age, size, construction quality, bedroom/bath count, and other features? Once this has been determined, the appraiser’s job then shifts to the task of analyzing the market area. This includes an analysis of the area on a large scale (city wide) relating to economics and the economic base, then a second analysis of the specific neighborhood within the city to determine what is happening in that neighborhood with real estate price trends, supply and demand, and what features or amenities are most important at this time. Finally, all the data comes together into a 30-40 page report in which all the data is given to the client. Contrary to what most people think, appraisers do not set the value of a property, we simply report what is going on in the area, and what a property is likely to sell for based on other recent sales in the area that are as similar as possible to property being appraised.

When do you use basic math in your job?

From start to finish. Initially, we have to use math to determine simple things such as how much time it takes to get from one property to another, what is the distance between them, and how many hours of daylight we have to work with to get everywhere we want or need to be in a day’s time. Math continues when looking at economic statistics to determine market trends ranging from basic issues such as determining if the area has an oversupply of available real state as compared to what the market has demonstrated can be sold in a given time frame, determining how much of a decline a market may see based on different rates of oversupply, using statistics such as regression analysis to determine a market’s reaction in terms of real dollars to different features or lack of a feature in a home. Math is used to determine the living space of a home, the size of the lot, to determine fractional increments of return on the dollar for investments made in a property.  If the property is income producing, we use math to determine an investment rate of return for dollars investments, sinking fund factors, future value of a dollar, and to help determine what type of funds need to be set aside each month for repairs of items such as roofs, HVAC systems, water heaters and other components of a home. Finally, appraisers use math to determine the cost to build a home.

Do you use any technology to help with this math?

We do use calculators and computers heavily. Calculators such as an HP-12C has been the industry standard for the real estate and finance industry for 25+ years. Software providers in the industry do all they can to calculate as many equations as possible so that we can cut down the time it takes to produce a report. Software such as Excel make complex equations much easier. However, if anyone wants to be an appraiser they are still required to be able to do all the math–much of which is very complex–with a simple pencil and paper, in order to be certified by a state and the federal government.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

Math certainly helps appraisers do our jobs better. Most appraisers are very adept at being able to simply see a property, and know what it is likely to sell for. However our clients such as banks, accountants, lawyers, and tax courts simply will not accept a quick email with a value. Everything the appraiser says has to be backed up with provable facts; this is always rooted in math. Whether it is the size of a room, the size of a home, the size of a lot, the value of an additional bath, or the value of an additional quarter acre of land, it all has to be proven to our clients beyond any shadow of a doubt. Math is the only way to accomplish this level of proof.

How comfortable with math do you feel?

Initially, as I began to get into appraising, I wasn’t comfortable at all. Algebra and geometry play heavily into real estate appraisal, and I was never a standout in math class. Just sitting around doing math problems over and over, with no real purpose to the questions was extremely monotonous. However, once I began to actually see a purpose and a reason to do math, and had a real reason to apply the knowledge to something concrete, it became much easier. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever believed I would use any math beyond basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, but I do every day now.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

I avoided math like the plague. I was forced to take Introduction to Algebra, which was the worst year of my life at the time. I later took Algebra I, which turned out to be even worse! Then geometry, which I loved! But still, math was math and that was all I was required to take, so that is all I took.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?

Yes, I did have to learn some new skills to do my job; and in some cases I had to simply relearn what I had assumed I would have no reason to remember. Real estate appraisal obviously has roots in real estate, and just as much in finance, investments and banking as well. No basic public schooling teaches this type of math. Some math skills transfer well such as word problems, or some geometry, but much of what is needed is more complex financial based math that relates to business math, statistics, projections, finance, and investments.

Questions for Tim?  Let me know, and I’ll see if he can squeeze in an answer between calculations.

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Math at Work Monday: Kathy, manufacturing company president

Can you imagine being the president of a twenty person manufacturing company–without  math?  Meet Kathy Keel, president of BSF, Inc. and let me tell you, she has to know her math.  In her position, she must keep an eye on profitability, for her own benefit and the benefit of her employees.  But for Kathy, the math goes even deeper. Let’s take a look.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

I am the president and co-owner of a manufacturing company that makes a custom part for the hydraulic industry, called a pump-motor adaptor. My main duties on a daily basis involve managing all of the office employees, designing custom fit pump motor adaptors, editing all drawings done by other designers, costing the part, and processing orders. I also do a lot of customer service as well as troubleshooting problems, processing payroll, and managing human resource duties.

When do you use basic math in your job?

I use basic math while designing the parts to figure dimensions and angles needed for design features. We have to research the dimensions of each component being attached to the adaptor (pump, motor, and coupling usually). Then, we have to design the adaptor to fit those components. This requires fractions and decimals to figure adaptor dimensions and tolerances. I also use math during costing/pricing activities in order to determine what our cost is for manufacturing the part and what our selling price should be on the final part. This involves working with money, percentages, and markups. In addition, I use math when processing payroll.

Do you use any technology (like calculators or computers) to help with this math?

I use a calculator, Microsoft Excel, and design programs such as Solidworks.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

I could not properly design an adaptor to fit the components without math, and I could not cost and price parts without math. Overall, I couldn’t run a company without math. I use it in almost every facet of my business to make sure that we are profitable.

How comfortable with math do you feel?

I am somewhat comfortable with basic math only. I’m not comfortable at all with more complex math.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

One year of Algebra as a freshman.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?

I had to learn to translate metric to English measurements and to equate fractions to decimals.

Have questions about Kathy’s company, their products, or her use of math skills at work?  Let me know and I’ll be happy to check in with her.

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Math at Work Monday

Math at Work Monday: Chappy the fitness coach

Raise your hand if you’re trying to get in shape for swimsuit season or a wedding? (I’m raising my hand!) May is prime time for folks to either get more serious about fitness or fall off the wagon. But fitness coaches like Chappy Callanta can help us stay focused to the very end — and then keep toned and slender. His gym in the Phillippines, 360 Fitness Club, not only offers expertise but equipment and classes, too. And — you guessed it — Chappy uses math. Here’s how.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

I develop strength and conditioning as well as general fitness programs for my gym. It involves a lot of research, a lot of experimentation and of course a lot of exercise. I also train teams and personal clients. I help them lose weight, get stronger, achieve a specific goal like running a marathon or even manage special conditions. I also write for Yahoo Philippines as their resident fitness blogger, and I maintain my own blog. My passion is fitness and wellness, and my mission is to spread the good word of being healthy to as many people as I can.

When do you use basic math in your job?

All the time actually. I use math when we compute for ideal weights of clients, find the right training load, or determine the number of calories one needs to consume to achieve a weight loss goal. I use math whenever I design programs for my clients. One specific situation when I use simple math would be when dealing with a weight loss client. One pound of fat is 3,500 calories. If you want to lose weight at a rate of 1 pound of week (which is doable and not too hard), you will have to create a deficit of 3,500 calories per week. I present this to a client and break down how she will be able to do it. We divide it by 7 because there’s 7 days in a week. Then we divide it by 2 because you want to lose weight through exercise and diet. That leaves you with 250 calories that you have to lose via exercise, and 250 calories through your diet. We’re just subtracting 250 calories per day from her regular diet and adding 250 calories worth of exercise per day. We compute for this using the MET system (metabolic equivalent of tasks) which takes into account the weight of a person and multiply it to the corresponding MET value of a specific activity.

Calories Burned ÷ hour = Weight in KG • MET value

For example, I weigh 80kg. The MET value for jumping rope is 10Mets. So if I skip rope for 1 hour I will lose 800 calories. That means if I want to lose 250 calories, the equation is:

Time = 250 cal ÷ (800 cal ÷ 60) = 18.75 minutes

Do you use any technology (like calculators or computers) to help with this math?

I usually don’t since I’m so used to it already. I write it down though on paper while I’m computing it so my clients see how the math works.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

It helps me to explain how the body works and how easy it is to lose or gain weight by using basic math and applying it to food and exercise. I believe that every trainer should practice mental math, so it’s easier to compute for the right training volume and intensity, as well as using the right load for each exercise.

How comfortable with math do you feel?

I’m relatively comfortable with basic math. There really isn’t much calculus involved in my line of work. Most of it is basic arithmetic and operations. Geometry is also important when analyzing sports and the optimal angles of the joints for a specific activity.  Research shows how the ankles, knees, and hips should be angled for example when diving off the high dive. It’s useful information and it’s pretty cool also.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

I took Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Calculus. I enjoyed it until we got to calculus. My grades showed that I was good at it but I enjoyed Geometry the most.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?

It was something that I already knew but I felt that I needed to practice it more. I practiced the equations and mental math with my clients so that today, I’m confident that I can do basic operations off the top of my head.

Do you have questions for Chappy? Feel free to ask in the comments section, and I’ll let him know. Also, take a look at his blog, which features great, inspirational tips. 

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Math at Work Monday

Math at Work Monday: What I’ve learned

It’s been a long while since I’ve posted a new Math at Work Monday interview. But this feature remains one of the most popular here at Math for Grownups. Perhaps that’s because teachers and parents like to prove to their kids, “See, you will use this stuff one day!” And I imagine that others stumble upon it while looking for career advice. At any rate, it’s been an eye-opening experience for me, too. And here are a few lessons learned.

People don’t know they’re doing math

I’ve intentionally  focused on careers that are not traditionally STEM related — from a textile designerto an FBI profiler to a children’s book author. And almost everyone says the same thing: “I don’t use much math in my work.” Then they follow up with a revelation – they do more math than they think!

People do the math they want to do

This makes a lot of sense. Why go into a career that requires skills you don’t have? Those folks who really dislike calculus are most likely not going to become physicists. Folks who hate statistics avoid careers in research. And people who have a disdain for geometry aren’t likely to become carpenters or architects. At the same time, when someone feels drawn to a career, they’re willing to whatever it takes to be successful. That often includes a little bit of math.

People do a lot of mental math

While most folks I interview say that they check their work with a calculator or good old back-of-the-envelope calculations, a fair amount of math is being done in their heads. This may be as simple as using fractions to mix the perfect hair color to deconstructing formulas so that the math can be done in the field, say on a fish hatchery.

People also depend on technology

When it comes to money, especially, or critical situations, like healthcare, a computer, spreadsheet or calculator is often a necessary tool. But often these require a clear understanding of the math going on. It’s not enough to give someone some software. These folks must know how the math works in order to use their technological tools.

People often don’t have a good relationship with math

This is kind of sad to me, but it’s been very true: I rarely meet someone in a non-STEM field who says that they really understood math in school and now feel really confident in their skills. Yet, all of the folks I interview for Math at Work Monday do use math. That says to me that their issues with math are often in their head – and probably not really their fault. The reality is that our educational system and other adults often fail us in this regard. It’s not about making math fun. It’s about making math useful.

I’d like to keep Math at Work Monday going, but I need your help. Do you know someone who would be interested in being interviewed? Think of basic fields: home improvement, medicine, the arts, law, public service and more. Does your partner use math in his work? What about your next door neighbor or your sister? The answer is yes, and I’d like to interview them. Shoot me a line at llaing [at] comcast [dot] net, and I’ll reach out to them.

What have you learned from the Math at Work series? Have you been surprised by anything? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

P.S. I wanted to explain why I was so silent last week. Because of the horrific events in the U.S., I felt it would be trite to post about Math Awareness. Clearly our national attention was needed elsewhere, and so aside from a Boston-related post, I made the decision not to post. My thoughts continue to be with everyone in Boston and West, Texas.

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Math at Work Monday: Lance the spirits distiller

I do enjoy a good whiskey. So when I had the chance to interview a real, live distiller, I jumped at it. Bonus: Lance Winters is funny as hell. Seriously. He’s also not shy about explaining how he uses math in his work — including his background in nuclear engineering, which has nothing to do with his current work. He is a master distiller at St. George Spirits in Alameda, CA, where he helps create artisanal spirits, including gin, absinthe, bourbon, single malt whiskey (my favorite), rum and liqueurs.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

I spend a lot of time wandering around looking busy in the hope that nobody asks me to do any actual work. When that gets too tiring, I play video games. When I do work, I crush and ferment fruit, mash in and ferment grain, then distill them. I prepare our distillates for bottling, then bottle them.

When do you use basic math in your job?  

I use math all the time! I’m not even kidding. It starts with figuring out the potential alcohol by volume in whatever medium we’re fermenting, then converting that to the total number of proof gallons we can produce from the amount of fruit or grain that we’ve had delivered. I then convert that to the number of cases of bottled product we can produce. That’s all pretty basic multiplication and division. We also use math when scaling up lab samples and bench trials of different whiskey blends.

Do you use any technology to help with this math?  

I like to use calculators to check my math and be totally sure about things, but like to do as much as possible in my head, on the fly. My memory’s bad enough that I need to keep the processor sharp.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

I’m able to plan my work better and make more informed business decisions because of math.

How comfortable with math do you feel?  Does this math feel different to you?  

I’m very comfortable with math, all the time. I used to think that so much of math (especially calculus) was just something that mathematicians used to show off for one another. Now, I see the poetry as well as usefulness of integrals and derivatives. (By the way, I found Matt Damon very implausible as a math whiz in Good Will Hunting.)

What kind of math did you take in high school?  

I took pre-calculus in high school, and in spite of having learned at the feet of Harold Gene Smith, greatest math teacher ever, I felt like a total hack at math.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job? 

After high school, I spent two years going to navy schools to learn nuclear engineering. That totally messed my head up and made me the way I am today.

Any questions for Lance? Ask them in the comment section. I’ll let him know that they’re there, and perhaps between his daily wandering and video games, he’ll stop by to reply.

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Math at Work Monday: Santa Claus

There’s a lot of magic involved in Santa Claus’s annual journey around the world. Delivering presents to that many households can’t be done without it. But there’s also quite a bit of math. And I’m thrilled that Santa agreed to do this interview with us, revealing a few secrets of how math helps him in his work.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

Well, throughout the year, my main job is to oversee a large toy production facility at the North Pole. This includes supervising thousands of elves, who are responsible for toy manufacturing, as well as management of the reindeer stables, grounds work, sleigh maintenance and other smaller details.

But my main responsibility is only on one night of the year. On Christmas Eve, I pilot a large, flying sleigh, driven by eight reindeer and Rudolf, throughout the world to deliver presents to all good boys and girls. It’s a big night, and I usually take off the entire month of January to recover!

When do you use basic math in your job?

There’s a surprising amount of math involved in my work. These days, the naughty-and-nice list is in a database. A sophisticated set of formulas help me map out my once-a-year trip, which determines how the sleigh is packed. If Los Angeles gifts are on the top of the pack when I land in New York City — well, that’s a big problem.

I also need to manage my time, since I have so little of it that night. The different time zones help me stay a little ahead of the clock in most cases, but I sometimes have to do some on-the-spot figuring when weather becomes a problem.

But the real math is in the sleigh. Much like an airplane pilot, I must maintain a steady speed and take into account things like wind and visibility. The elves have helped equip the sleigh with state-of-the-art equipment, like gauges for altitude and speed. However, there have been some times when I’ve need to apply distance/speed/time ratios on the fly.

Do you use any technology to help with this math?

Absolutely. As I mentioned, we depend heavily on databases on the North Pole. These are housed in a large server, allowing us to manage our manufacturing quickly and easily. If a formula needs to be changed — for example, we need to greater ratio of purple bicycles to red bicycles — that alteration can be made in the database and applied throughout the facility. It streamlines the process considerably.

And I couldn’t fly to as many houses as I do today without my computerized dashboard in the sleigh. Each year, it’s calibrated to the specific weather conditions that are expected and even the current weight of the reindeer. Being able to customize these variables means making the most of those 20 hours that I’m in the sky.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

I’m sure many people have said this: I couldn’t do my job without math. From the elves’ payroll to the naughty and nice list, every point of this whole operation hinges on how well we’ve done the math.

How comfortable with math do you feel?

I’d much rather talk to a child about what he or she wants for Christmas than sit down and solve a bunch of algebraic equations. But I’ve learned that in order to accomplish all that I do, I need to do some computing, too. I feel pretty comfortable with math, but it’s not my favorite thing in the world.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

School was a lot different way back then. You have to remember, I’ve been around for a long, long time! Heck, calculus wasn’t even invented yet, and forget about the calculator! But I did fine with the little bit of math I did take in school.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?

When you’ve been in a job like mine for this long, you definitely have to pick up some new skills. The biggest changes have been technological. And once computers came on the scene, all of my operations had to be redesigned. I’ve even brought on some elves who are experienced with math modeling, so that we can stay ahead of any climate changes that will certainly affect our work. They’re developing up several models now with regards to the North Pole itself.

Thanks so much to Santa for taking time out of his incredibly busy schedule to answer a few questions. Happy holidays to everyone! In honor of the season, I’m going to take the rest of the week off. I’ll see you back on Monday, December 30, when we’ll kick off a really cool month designed to help you meet a special New Year’s resolution: brushing up on your basic math skills.

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Math at Work Monday

Math at Work Monday: Sole the fashion designer

I’ve been dying to have a fashion designer in this spot for a very long time. So when designer Sole Salvo‘s message arrived in my inbox on Friday morning, I was thrilled! As an avid sewer — who doesn’t like using patterns — I am fascinated with the process of fashion design. I know there is a lot of math involved. Some of it has to be a gut instinct — how will this angle work on a human body? And some of it is very calculated — what do I need to add in order to get a 5/8″ seam allowance?

Sole has been working as a designer for nine years, currently working for a large clothing company in New York. Here’s how she uses math in her job.

Can you explain what you do for a living? 

I design women’s clothing. I sketch new styles then give the specs (measurements of the garment, like length, waist measurement, neck drop etc) to the tech designer or pattern maker to make a sample. I pick out fabrics, colors and trims, like buttons and thread, to complete the look of each garment. Once my seasonal collection is complete, I review it with my merchant team who decided what to buy for the store.

When do you use basic math in your job?

Math is important for design. We have to measure our sample garments to know where we need to add or subtract fabric to make the garment fit well. Additionally a strong understanding of geometry is important for understanding how the flat pattern shape will make up into a 3D garment as well as what part of the flat pattern to change to fix the fit.

Do you use any technology (like calculators or computers) to help with this math?

I usually don’t use technology for this myself because the calculations I have to do are usually simple, like adding 1/4″ here and 1/8″ there, but my cross functional partners on the tech team do use a computer program to digitally manipulate the flat garment pattern. I use Illustrator to draw my flat sketches — these are the detailed sketches that the factory pairs with the measurement specs to make up the sample. These drawings have to be very accurate and clear so the factory can see each detail of stitching and seaming, as well as the overall proportion and look of the garment.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

Without math it would be impossible to keep sizes consistent, and it would be impossible to draft a garment pattern. In addition it would be impossible to create trim pages — the list of trims required to make a garment. We use numbers on those as well to tell the factory how many buttons to use on each shirt. The factory must multiply the number of buttons by the number of shirts they are making to order enough buttons. It becomes very important when ordering because if you make a little mistake on a style that has 100,000 pieces on order, all of a sudden you could wind up with 100,000 too many buttons!

How comfortable with math do you feel?

I feel very comfortable with math in what I do. I deal with whole numbers and simple fractions for the most part.  I also have a strong sense of geometry. I can visualize what a pattern piece would look like if it is draped on the body, and this helps me design and also helps me make comments in my fittings.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

I took algebra, geometry and calculus.  Algebra was manageable, geometry I could do with my eyes closed. I can essentially reander 3D models in my head, so anything that involves shapes and how to manipulate them comes naturally to me. Calculus was more of a challenge. When it came to doing more complicated problems, I struggled. I did ok in the end, but I had to really study in calculus.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?

Knowing how to add fractions comes in handy every day.  Also area is important. If you are working on a garment, sometimes the size might be right, but the fabric is just distributed in the wrong place. To fix it, you might have to keep your total area the same, but just shift it around to make it lay flat or to drape just the right way.

Thanks so much, Sole! If you have questions for her, ask them in the comments section. 

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Math at Work Monday Math for Grownups

Math at Work Monday: Cecilia the grant writer

While we’re on the subject of museums, I thought I’d introduce you to Cecilia Meisner, who is the Director of Grants and Government Relations at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA). In short, she’s a fundraiser, specializing in writing grants (rather than asking folks like you and me for donations). These grants may come from foundations or government agencies or corporate funding divisions. 

And with a newly renovated contemporary art wing, the BMA can use all of the funds it can get. Naturally, Cecilia uses quite a bit of math in her job. Here’s how.

Can you explain what you do for a living?  I oversee fundraising from foundation, corporate, and government sources to support The Baltimore Museum of Art.  A lot of my work is writing (grant proposals, reports, letters of inquiry or acknowledgement), but I also do a lot of work with creating grant budgets, tracking grant-funded expenses, and reporting back to the funders.

When do you use basic math in your job?  It can be as simple as applying a percentage to a salary to show the value of staff benefits in a grant proposals, and as complicated as tracking hours worked on a project for dozens of employees over the course of two years.

Do you use any technology to help with this math?  I NEVER do math in my head: I always use an old-fashioned adding machine with a paper tape for quick calculations, and I loooove spreadsheet programs for creating budgets and tracking expenses.  The first one I ever used was Lotus 1-2-3 but now I use Excel.  I have been working in this job long enough that I used to use huge binders full of ledger paper to track expenses with pen on paper – hence the need to run a paper tape on everything: they didn’t add up automatically, unlike computerized spreadsheets!

How do you think math helps you do your job better?  Funders don’t want to give money unless they feel secure that it is enough to get the job done, and that the recipient will manage the money carefully.  And since we are audited every year by an outside auditing firm, it is a lot easier to make sure everything is done right the first time, rather than having to go back and make a lot of end-of-year journal entries in the organization’s books.

How comfortable with math do you feel?  I am very comfortable with the math I use in my work: basic functions plus percentages (which a surprising number of people do wrong, I find as I review draft grant budgets).  That being said, I am utterly incapable of helping my 10th grader with his Algebra II/Pre-Calc, Trig, Probability & Statistics, or Physics homework.

What kind of math did you take in high school?  I didn’t take any math after 9th grade “pre-Geometry.”  I was very intimidated by math, and I took enough science courses (Chemistry, Physics, Geology) to fulfill my high school’s joint math/science requirement. Because I got a high enough grade on the ACT test math portion, I was able to exempt out of Freshman Mathematics in college. I didn’t need any additional math as a requirement for my major. I escaped math in high school and college, but it caught up with me in the work world, and it turns out that it isn’t so bad after all! I wish I had Math for Grownups when I was in high school and college – I might not have been so intimidated!

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job? I was totally set with the basic addition-mulitplication-subtraction-division-percentages skills, but I did need to learn how to use spreadsheet and double-entry accounting, and how to use the specific spreadsheet software programs.

Do you have questions about grant writing and administration? If so, ask in the comments section, and I’ll let Cecilia know!