We have been talking a lot about real-life examples lately. It’s so interesting to see how different mathematical concepts serve a purpose in our daily lives and how uniquely they manifest in the things around us, often without us realizing it.
After a handful of posts on real-world examples of isosceles triangles, hexagons, sets, and arithmetic sequences, we have come to today’s topic of discussion: “examples of arrays in everyday life.” Before we delve into how arrays appear around us, let’s first briefly introduce arrays, why they are useful, and how they help develop an understanding of basic mathematical operations of multiplication and division.
What are arrays in mathematics?
In mathematics, arrays are structured arrangements of numbers or objects in rows and columns. They are often represented in a pictorial form for students. Arrays are typically introduced to students during the early stages of elementary education, more so around the second or third grade, to foster mathematical development.
Arrays are taught to help students understand the basic concepts of multiplication and division. By organizing objects or numbers in rows and columns, arrays provide a tangible representation of mathematical operations and relationships. This visual representation helps children realize that multiplication is repeated addition and division is sharing or grouping.
Some reasons why arrays are a useful concept to learn in mathematics –
1. Visual representation
Arrays provide a concrete visual model that helps students visualize and comprehend mathematical concepts. They assist in making abstract ideas more tangible and accessible, particularly for students who benefit from visual learning.
2. Understanding multiplication and division
Arrays help children grasp the concept of multiplication by demonstrating the relationship between factors and products. They enable students to see how multiplication involves combining equal groups or sets. In addition, arrays can also aid in understanding division as the inverse operation of multiplication. They illustrate the idea of dividing objects or numbers into equal groups, highlighting the connection between multiplication and division.
3. Developing problem-solving skills
Arrays enhance problem-solving skills by allowing students to organize information systematically. They can be used to solve multiplication and division word problems, helping students identify patterns, make connections, and develop strategies for finding solutions.
4. Reinforcement of facts
Arrays serve as a tool for reinforcing multiplication and division facts. By visualizing the relationships between numbers, students can practice and internalize basic arithmetic facts more effectively.
Arrays in real life: 10 everyday examples
1. An egg carton
An egg carton is a classic example of an array. Eggs are arranged in a systematic order in the carton so they don’t break. But this arrangement also helps in counting the total number of eggs quickly. Egg cartons come in different sizes, like 2 x 3 for six eggs, 2 x 6 for 12 eggs, and so on, and each arrangement forms an array. The biggest array of eggs we commonly find is a 6 x 5 crate which holds up to thirty eggs.
2. A box of crayons
Similarly, when you look at a box of crayons, you can see how they are organized. The crayons are arranged in rows and columns depending on the number of crayons in the box. Whether the pack contains 16 crayons, 24 crayons, or a large set of 64 crayons, each arrangement forms an array of wax colors.
3. A muffin tin
Muffins are indeed delicious, and no one minds having a bite or two of their favorite muffins. But have you ever seen a muffin tin used to bake muffins in the oven? It also forms an array divided into rows and columns to bake a specific number of muffins. Tins are available for 6, 12, and 24 muffins, each making an array of 2 x 3, 3 x 4, and 4 x 6, respectively.
4. A Chessboard
Whenever you play a game of chess, you arrange the sixteen game pieces on the chessboard in a structured format. All pieces have designated places and must be put in a particular order. The two sets of black and white pieces arranged on the chessboard form arrays of 2 rows and 8 columns each.
5. A strip of medicine
You must have seen that medicines, especially tablets and capsules, are dispensed in the form of strips or blister packaging. These strips of medicines are also examples of arrays. The most common array one can find is a strip of ten tablets or capsules arranged in a 2 x 5 format. It makes counting the total number of tablets easy when you have several strips to handle.
6. A bar of chocolate
Many chocolate bars have creases, so you can easily break them and enjoy a brick whenever you like it. It also makes sharing easy between people eyeing the same chocolate bar! Looking at these bars, we can say that each one with small bricks of chocolate attached together also form arrays. Small-sized chocolate bars have fewer chocolate bricks divided into rows and columns, while large-sized bars have more.
7. An ice tray
Unless you have a refrigerator with an automatic ice-dispensing mechanism, most refrigerators need an ice tray to freeze water into ice cubes. The design of a tray is such that it creates an array of ice cubes when you keep it in the freezer for some time. You get as many ice cubes as the number of sections in the rows and columns. By simply multiplying the number of rows and columns, you can get the total number of ice cubes you can freeze in the tray.
8. Floor tiles
If you have tiles on the floor of your house, on the ceiling, or as a kitchen backsplash, notice how the tiles have been laid systematically to create a smooth and neat look. Placing tiles in an array helps designers figure out how many tiles they will need to cover a particular area without leaving empty spaces in between.
9. Marching soldiers
Ever seen soldiers marching in a parade? The way each soldier follows a rhythmic and organized walking style to move forward with their troop is truly commendable. Marching in a disciplined manner was initially developed so that soldiers remain with their troops without getting lost in others when shifting locations. The arrays they form when walking keep the troops organized and allow for better management.
10. Seats in a theatre
The next time you go to a theater to watch a movie, take some time to appreciate the arrangement of seats there. Seats in a theater are arranged in multiple rows and columns, which gives it the appearance of an array. An arrangement like this makes it easy to number seats so people can find them easily. Numbers like A10, B10, C10, and D10 indicate the column having the tenth seat in rows A, B, C, and D.
Summing up,
As we wrap up our exploration of arrays in everyday life, it is clear that these organized structures are more prevalent than we could have imagined. From the medicine cabinets in our homes to the shelves at our local grocery stores, arrays are everywhere! Identifying them helps us gain a fresh perspective on the world around us. These examples highlight that arrays are not just abstract mathematical concepts but tangible representations that are a part of our reality. Now that you know what an array looks like, you will likely spot it the next time you come across one. So stay curious and keep looking!
An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’,