12 | Numeracy

 Numeracy

Madisyn Morphew

Professor Reppert 

Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media

Fall 2025

What is Numeracy

According to National Numeracy, "Numeracy is having the confidence to use basic maths at work and in everyday life." So for example, being able to manage money or handle jobs that involve numbers or data. These skills are extremely important for every person to have to strive in today's world. Especially in media you will constantly see data that you need to be able to analyze. 

Numeracy is more than math on paper, it is also being able to apply these skills to everyday life. Numbers are something that every single person will deal with during their regular routine of life. Whether you're paying a bill, watching engagement data, or figuring out taxes you are applying numeracy. These skills can give you the confidence to navigate the world around you. Practicing this will help you make informed decisions instead of taking guesses. 

The Benefits

Sometimes we do not even realize we are using numeracy because it becomes a natural part of daily life. Strong numeracy skills can make life much easier and less stressful. They can help you stay organized, plan ahead, and feel more in control of your decisions. Being able to understand numbers also helps you spot misleading information, especially in media.

For example, when watching a news story or scrolling through social media, you might see statistics about the economy, public opinion, or health trends. If you understand how numbers work, you can better decide if that information is accurate or if it might be presented in a way that’s meant to influence how you think.

In media and communication, numeracy is what helps professionals tell truthful and meaningful stories. Reporters, advertisers, and content creators often rely on data to share their messages with the public. Being numerate allows them to use that data responsibly and explain it clearly to their audiences.

Why Numeracy Matters

Numeracy matters because it shapes how we see and understand the world. It allows us to think for ourselves, question what we are told, and find confidence in our own understanding. In a world where information moves quickly and numbers are everywhere, being able to read and interpret them is more important than ever.

No matter what field you go into, from media to business to education, numeracy gives you the tools to think clearly and communicate with purpose. It is not just about numbers, it is about learning to see the bigger picture.