New
New
Lesson 13 of 18
New
New
- Year 9
Operational researcher
I can understand how maths is used in operational research.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Problem solving techniques can be usefully applied
- New information must be interpreted quickly and correctly
- The 'optimal' solution may mean different things to different people
Keywords
Logistics - Logistics is the careful organisation of a complicated project (set of activities) so that it happens in a successful and effective way.
Common misconception
Pupils may not consider the maximum of the 'bins' in learning cycle 1.
It can be helpful for pupils to have a running total for the values assigned to each 'bin' so that they know when it is full and no more values can be assigned there.
Operational research is the broad term for a wide ranging of mathematical areas focused around using problem solving techniques. If you want to explore other free teaching resources, you may be interested in the OR Society’s teaching resources.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The (arithmetic) __________ for a set of numerical data is the sum of the values divided by the number of values. It is a measure of central tendency representing the average of the values.
The (arithmetic) __________ for a set of numerical data is the sum of the values divided by the number of values. It is a measure of central tendency representing the average of the values.
median
mode
range
Q2.Sam scored 85, 92, 88, 90, and 95 on five tests. What is Sam's average test score?
Sam scored 85, 92, 88, 90, and 95 on five tests. What is Sam's average test score?
Q3.The daily high temperatures for a week were 24°C, 26°C, 28°C, 27°C, 26.5°C, 27.5°C, and 28.5°C. What was the average high temperature for the week (2 d.p.)?
The daily high temperatures for a week were 24°C, 26°C, 28°C, 27°C, 26.5°C, 27.5°C, and 28.5°C. What was the average high temperature for the week (2 d.p.)?
Q4.The monthly rainfall amounts for a year were 63.5 mm, 81.3 mm, 104.1 mm, 71.1 mm, 91.4 mm, 114.3 mm, 99.1 mm, 79.2 mm, 68.6 mm, 86.4 mm, 106.7 mm, and 96.5 mm. What was the average (1 d.p.)?
The monthly rainfall amounts for a year were 63.5 mm, 81.3 mm, 104.1 mm, 71.1 mm, 91.4 mm, 114.3 mm, 99.1 mm, 79.2 mm, 68.6 mm, 86.4 mm, 106.7 mm, and 96.5 mm. What was the average (1 d.p.)?
Q5.The mean of five numbers is 8. Four of the numbers are 5, 7, 9, and 10. What is the fifth number?
The mean of five numbers is 8. Four of the numbers are 5, 7, 9, and 10. What is the fifth number?
Q6.You have a set of 10 numbers. The mean of these numbers is 15. If you add 5 to each number in the set, what will be the new mean?
You have a set of 10 numbers. The mean of these numbers is 15. If you add 5 to each number in the set, what will be the new mean?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1. is the careful organisation of a complicated project (set of activities) so that it happens in a successful and effective way.
is the careful organisation of a complicated project (set of activities) so that it happens in a successful and effective way.
Q2.This table shows various tasks in a project. How long does it take to complete activity C?
This table shows various tasks in a project. How long does it take to complete activity C?
Q3.This table shows various tasks in a project. How long does it take to complete activity E?
This table shows various tasks in a project. How long does it take to complete activity E?
Q4.This table shows various tasks in a project. What activity must be completed before activity C can start?
This table shows various tasks in a project. What activity must be completed before activity C can start?
Q5.This table shows various tasks in a project. Which activities must be completed before activity E can start?
This table shows various tasks in a project. Which activities must be completed before activity E can start?
D
F
Q6.This table shows various tasks in a project. If only 1 person was working on the project, how long (in minutes) would it take to complete the project?
This table shows various tasks in a project. If only 1 person was working on the project, how long (in minutes) would it take to complete the project?
