Maths on the road

Travelling is an inherently educational experience.  And if it isn’t, there is often a pushy mother to ensure her children learn something.

     When we left Baralaba, we had only four ingredients for our lunch.  Sao-like crackers, peanut butter, tinned meat and a huge jar of Gail Goodman’s Just Right Brazilian cherry jam.  It was just right because it wasn’t too sweet like strawberry or apricot jam and it wasn’t too sour like marmalade.  It was just right.  Gail gave me the jar and I magnanimously decided to share it with the family for the purpose of our lunch time maths lesson.

     Since our trip was being kindly financed by the ANZ Banking Corporation and there were limits to the ANZ's generosity, I had to make sure we ate the food we had with us rather than buy more.  When we stopped at the Nebo roadhouse there was no chance of anyone creeping in for a bag of chips or Twisties.  Actually, I didn’t think the family dynamics could withstand another roadhouse meltdown.

     That's how we came to have four ingredients for lunch. 

From left, cracker, tinned meat, peanut butter and Just
Right Brazilian Cherry jam.

         On day ten of our road trip our lesson was maths, Permutations and Combinations.  In a nutshell, P and C is about an arrangement of things so Permutation is where order is important (a combination lock or putting on socks first, then jeans then boots) and Combination is where order is not important (chopping five ingredients for a salad or paying bills that are due tomorrow - school fees, insurance, car rego).

     

    

     'So, Tony and kids, let’s do maths.   We have crackers and three toppings, peanut butter, tinned meat and Just Right Brazilian Cherry jam.  What combinations or permutations can we make with the three toppings?'

Tinned meat and peanut butter.
'Well done, Sutchy!'

Tinned meat and Just Right Brazilian Cherry jam.
'Good work, Kibbim!'

Peanut butter and Just Right Brazilian Cherry jam.
'Give yourself a big pat on your back, Tony!'  

     'Eyes on me everyone.  Are we dealing with combinations or permuations?'

     'Hello, are we dealing with combinations or permuations?'  

     'Is anyone listening?'