Cross Curricular Maths
Maths in animals
Use patterns, symmetry, speed, size and data about animals.
Quick answer
Maths is all around us in the animal world – from counting stripes on a zebra, to measuring how fast a cheetah runs, to working out how many fish a seal eats in a day. Animals use maths every day, and you can discover it too!Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to use maths to explore patterns, sizes, speeds, and data about animals – just like scientists do! Success signs:- You can count how many legs a spider has and use that to work out how many legs 3 spiders have.
- You can compare the sizes of animals using numbers and measurements.
- You can use simple data to find out which animal eats the most food in a day.
- You can see how maths helps us understand animals better.
Why this matters
Maths isn’t just about numbers on a page – it’s about understanding the world around us. When you learn about animals using maths, you're not just learning numbers – you're learning how to think like a scientist, a detective, or an explorer. From how fast a cheetah runs to how many fish a seal eats, maths helps us discover and understand the amazing world of animals.How it works
We can use maths to study animals in many ways:- Counting and groups: How many legs does a spider have? How many spiders are there? We can use multiplication to find out!
- Measuring size: How tall is a giraffe? How long is a snake? We can use metres and centimetres to measure.
- Speed and time: How fast can a cheetah run? How long does it take to travel 100 metres? We can use speed = distance ÷ time.
- Data and patterns: What do animals eat? How often do they eat? We can collect data and make simple charts.
Examples you can see
Let’s look at some real animals and how we can use maths to learn more about them. Example 1: Spiders and Legs A spider has 8 legs. If we have 4 spiders, how many legs are there in total?- 8 legs × 4 spiders = 32 legs
- 5.5 m – 1.2 m = 4.3 m
- Speed = Distance ÷ Time = 100 m ÷ 5 s = 20 m/s
- 15 fish × 3 days = 45 fish
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Animal Tracker You are a young scientist on a mission to collect data about animals in the wild. 1st time: You see a group of 5 zebras. Each zebra has 4 legs. How many legs are there in total?- 4 legs × 5 zebras = 20 legs
- 1.8 m – 0.6 m = 1.2 m
- 200 m ÷ 10 s = 20 m/s
- 3 sticks × 4 hours = 12 sticks
- 12 kg × 5 days = 60 kg
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking that 10 spiders have 10 legs in total.
Why it happens: Confusing number of animals with number of legs.
Fix: Remember that each spider has 8 legs. So 10 spiders = 10 × 8 = 80 legs. - Mistake: Using addition instead of multiplication for groups.
Why it happens: Not yet understanding that groups are repeated addition.
Fix: Draw the groups and count them. For example, 3 groups of 4 = 3 × 4 = 12. - Mistake: Subtracting the wrong way around when comparing sizes.
Why it happens: Mixing up the order of subtraction.
Fix: Always subtract the smaller number from the larger one. For example, 5.5 m – 1.2 m = 4.3 m. - Mistake: Forgetting to use units when measuring.
Why it happens: Not paying attention to what you are measuring.
Fix: Always say what you are measuring – “metres”, “seconds”, “kilograms”.
Parent and carer guide
As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:- Encouraging them to ask questions like “How many legs does a spider have?” or “How fast can a cheetah run?”
- Using everyday situations to practice maths – like measuring how tall a child is or timing how long it takes to walk to the park.
- Playing simple games that involve counting or measuring, such as “How many fish do you think a seal eats in a day?”
- Letting them draw or build animals and use maths to describe them – for example, “This snake is 2 metres long and has 4 legs.”
- Not worrying if they make mistakes – they are learning!
Practice questions
- How many legs do 7 butterflies have if each has 6 legs?
- A giraffe is 5.8 metres tall. A baby giraffe is 1.4 metres tall. How much taller is the adult?
- A cheetah runs 120 metres in 6 seconds. What is its speed?
- A penguin eats 8 fish a day. How many fish does it eat in 4 days?
- How many wings do 9 dragonflies have if each has 4 wings?
- 6 legs × 7 butterflies = 42 legs
- 5.8 m – 1.4 m = 4.4 m
- 120 m ÷ 6 s = 20 m/s
- 8 fish × 4 days = 32 fish
- 4 wings × 9 dragonflies = 36 wings
FAQ
Why do we need to use maths when learning about animals?
Maths helps us understand animals better by giving us facts and patterns. It helps us compare sizes, measure speeds, and even predict how animals behave.
Can I use maths to study animals at home?
Yes! You can measure how tall you are, count how many legs a pet has, or even time how fast a toy car goes. You can use maths to learn more about the animals around you.
What if I don’t know how to measure things?
That’s okay! You can start by comparing things. For example, “This snake is longer than that one.” Then you can use a ruler or tape measure to get the exact size.
How can I make maths fun when learning about animals?
You can play games like “Animal Speed Race” where you measure how fast you can run, or draw animals and count their legs, wings, or spots. The more you play with maths, the more fun it becomes!
Are there any animals that use maths in a special way?
Yes! Some animals use patterns and numbers in nature. For example, bees build hexagonal honeycombs, and some birds use angles to navigate. Maths is all around us, even in nature!