Using maths in everyday life

I worked for many years as an engineer. I used maths to solve the problems that I faced in my work. However, when faced with everyday problems I tended to use logic to solve them. Why was this? Why was my mind compartmentalised in this way? Why did I not use the maths skills I had to solve my everyday problems? Many times it would have been easier to have used an algebraic equation to arrive at the answer, than to try and think my way thorough the situation. So why did I not do so? It comes back to the way maths is taught in school. So often it is not related to everyday life. So often it is taught as an academic discipline in an ivory tower of its own. This is how I was taught maths. As a result, when I was doing engineering design work, abstract work, I naturally turned to my maths to solve problems, but when faced with an everyday situation I reverted to my ordinary life mode, and approached my problems using logical reasoning. We here at Puppet Maths relate our maths to everyday life. We show our pupils the use of what they are learning. Thereby we motivate them, because we show the true value of the techniques that we teach.