We all use maths every day, even if that's not what we call it. We check our change at the shops, work out how expensive the new carpet will be, decide when we need to leave the house to get to the airport. And at the other end of the spectrum, brilliant scientists are using maths to build the internet and help us understand the laws of the universe.

Children are taught about:

• number: this includes numbers and the number system, calculations and ways of solving problems
• shape, space and measures: this includes two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes, position, movement and measurement
• handling data: this includes working out which questions can be answered by collecting data, organising it, putting it into graphs and diagrams and working out how it helps to answer the original questions.

Children are taught how to 'use and apply mathematics'. They decide how to tackle problems. They record what they do using mathematical language, symbols and diagrams, and explain their reasoning.

Children are taught how to use a calculator to solve certain sorts of problem, but usually they are expected to do maths in their heads or on paper.