It is generally acknowledged that everyone needs to learn and use mathematics. Most areas of employment require at least some ability in understanding and using numbers. It is also used in many areas of daily life; anyone who wants to manage a household budget, organise a holiday, decorate a room or build a fence will need mathematics.

An understanding of mathematics helps people to develop and use logical approaches to procedures and arguments. A grasp of geometrical ideas helps people to appreciate symmetry and patterns and helps them to make sensible designs.

Mathematics involves skills of calculation and estimation and the ability to reason logically. It develops the creativity and problem solving involved in technological and scientific innovation and discovery.

Skills learned and practiced in the mathematics curriculum can be applied across a wide range of occupations such as banking, accountancy, statistics, management, architecture, science, teaching, engineering, insurance, financial planning, economics, weather forecasting, trades and so on.