We all had an appointment in another town today which meant an almost 3 hour drive one way. Not my cup of tea, but my autograph was required, so I went!
When we have meetings, usually around the table, not in vehicles, I’m always struck by one thing.
MATH.
Now, Victoria is a science and math teacher for middle school mainly, and she’s told me how some kids have actually told her, “I don’t need math, I’m going to be a rancher.” Lordy, Lordy. Those children need to sit in on some of our meetings!
They spent a large part of the drive (the guys, not me!) doing math.
Averaging. Percentage. Average daily gain. Cost per day. Cost per ton. Price per hundredweight. Multiplication. Division. Simple addition. Back to percentage. Round and round and round they went. Don’t forget guesstimation.
I try to follow, I really do. Math is not my strength. I’m amazed and very grateful that the boys have their father’s head for figures. I really can’t imagine where we’d be if they didn’t have this ability.
Do you need math to be a rancher? Oh, my dear, YES.
It’s amazing how kids think they don’t need math — because they have calculators!!! Math comes up more than they think in many cases.