---
title: "Connecting maths to real life"
description: "Represent real-world problems with number sentences, bar models, or diagrams, and interpret the mathematical result back in context"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/connecting-maths-to-real-life-mt_f67qGDhyfi
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/connecting-maths-to-real-life-mt_f67qGDhyfi.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Connecting maths to real life

Represent real-world problems with number sentences, bar models, or diagrams, and interpret the mathematical result back in context

Subject: Mathematics · Area: Mathematical Thinking · Ages 6 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/connecting-maths-to-real-life-mt_f67qGDhyfi

## Ready when they can

- Choose and write an appropriate number sentence for a measurement or money word problem
- Draw a bar model or diagram to represent a two-step or comparison problem
- Interpret the numerical answer in context (e.g. '15 cm means the ribbon is 15 centimetres long')

## Lesson: Turning words into numbers

Real life is full of maths problems hiding inside sentences. When you read a problem, look for the numbers and figure out what is happening: are things being put together, taken away, or compared? Turn that into a number sentence, like 4 + 3 = 7. Then solve it.

*(drawing: Sam has 4 stickers. Mia has 7 stickers. The taller bar shows who has more.)*

**Example.** Ravi buys a sticker for 6p and a pencil for 4p. The number sentence is 6 + 4 = 10. That means Ravi spent 10 pence altogether.

**Example.** A ribbon is cut into two pieces. One piece is 9 cm long. The other piece is 6 cm long. How long was the ribbon before it was cut? The number sentence is 9 + 6 = 15. That means the ribbon was 15 centimetres long.

**Tip.** After you solve the number sentence, always finish with what the answer means. Do not stop at the number. Say the unit or the thing it stands for, like centimetres, pence, or stickers.

**Recap.** Turn the words into a number sentence, solve it, then say what your answer means in real life.

## Practice

18 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Interpreting categorical data](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/interpreting-categorical-data-mt_1VSfm9yiLn)
- [Unknown in Addition & Subtraction](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/unknown-in-addition-and-subtraction-mt_3JgrHY221M)
- [Using objects to model real problems](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/using-objects-to-model-real-problems-mt_fLOkq-HfPB)

## Opens up

- [Solving money measurement and time problems](https://lightmysky.com/learn/mathematics/solving-money-measurement-and-time-problems-mt_iQYPw8bMfN)