Mary Jackson and engineering maths
Connect measurement, speed, forces and problem solving through an inspiring engineering biography.
Quick answer
Mary Jackson was a pioneering mathematician and engineer who helped NASA calculate the speeds and forces needed for space missions. She used maths to solve real problems that helped people travel into space and return safely.
Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will understand how measurement, speed, and forces are used in engineering to solve real-world problems, just like Mary Jackson did.
- You can explain how engineers use maths to calculate how fast things move
- You can measure and compare different speeds using simple tools
- You can use basic maths to understand how forces work in everyday life
- You can solve simple problems using measurement and calculation
Why this matters
Mary Jackson's work shows us how maths is used to solve real problems. Engineers use maths to make sure planes fly safely, cars stop in time, and rockets go into space. When you learn about measurement, speed, and forces, you're learning the same skills that helped Mary Jackson help humans reach the stars.
Whether you're building with LEGO, playing football, or riding a bike, you're already using the same kinds of maths that engineers use every day.
How it works
Engineering maths uses three main ideas:
- Measurement - How long, how fast, how heavy
- Speed - How far something travels in a certain time
- Forces - Pushes and pulls that affect movement
Let's explore each one step by step.
Examples you can see
Measurement
Imagine you're measuring how far a toy car travels. You use a ruler or metre stick to measure the distance in centimetres or metres.
| Toy Car | Distance (metres) |
|---|---|
| Car A | 2.5 |
| Car B | 3.1 |
| Car C | 1.8 |
Speed
Speed is how far something travels in one unit of time. If a car travels 10 metres in 2 seconds, its speed is 5 metres per second.
Formula: Speed = Distance ÷ Time
Example: A runner covers 100 metres in 20 seconds. What is their speed?
Speed = 100 ÷ 20 = 5 metres per second
Forces
Forces are pushes or pulls that change how things move. When you push a shopping trolley, you're applying a force. When you stop a ball rolling, you're using a force to slow it down.
Example: If you push a box with 10 Newtons of force and it moves 5 metres, you've done work. The force and distance help determine how much work is done.
Try it as a mini adventure
The Space Mission Challenge
Imagine you're part of a team designing a space mission. You need to calculate:
- How fast the rocket needs to go to escape Earth's gravity
- How far it can travel in a given time
- How much force is needed to stop the rocket safely
Step 1: Speed Calculation
Your rocket needs to travel 100,000 metres in 50 seconds. What speed does it need?
Speed = Distance ÷ Time
Speed = 100,000 ÷ 50 = 2,000 metres per second
Step 2: Distance Travelled
If the rocket travels at 2,000 metres per second for 30 seconds, how far does it go?
Distance = Speed × Time
Distance = 2,000 × 30 = 60,000 metres
Step 3: Force Calculation
To stop the rocket safely, you need a force that's 10 times its weight. If the rocket weighs 500 kilograms, what force is needed?
Force = 500 × 10 = 5,000 Newtons
You've just done the kind of maths that Mary Jackson used!
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Forgetting to use the same units when calculating speed
Why it happens: Mixing up metres and centimetres
Fix: Always convert to the same units before calculating - Mistake: Confusing distance and speed
Why it happens: Thinking speed is how far something goes, not how fast it goes
Fix: Remember speed = distance ÷ time - Mistake: Not understanding that forces can be pushes or pulls
Why it happens: Thinking forces only slow things down
Fix: Remember forces can speed things up or slow them down - Mistake: Getting confused with the order of operations in formulas
Why it happens: Not following the correct calculation steps
Fix: Use the formula step by step
Parent and carer guide
Help your child explore engineering maths by:
- Using everyday examples like driving to school or playing football
- Measuring how far things travel
- Calculating how fast things move
- Discussing how forces affect movement
- Playing games that involve speed and distance
Ask questions like:
- How fast do you think your bike goes?
- How far can you throw a ball?
- What happens when you push something heavy?
Remember: It's okay if your child makes mistakes. They're part of learning!
Practice questions
- How fast does a car travel if it covers 100 metres in 10 seconds?
- A ball rolls 30 metres in 6 seconds. What is its speed?
- If a force of 200 Newtons is applied to move an object 5 metres, how much work is done?
- A plane travels 2,000 metres in 10 seconds. What is its speed?
- If a rocket needs to travel 15,000 metres and goes at 3,000 metres per second, how long will it take?
Answers:
- 100 ÷ 10 = 10 metres per second
- 30 ÷ 6 = 5 metres per second
- 200 × 5 = 1,000 Joules
- 2,000 ÷ 10 = 200 metres per second
- 15,000 ÷ 3,000 = 5 seconds
FAQ
Who was Mary Jackson?
Mary Jackson was an American mathematician and aerospace engineer who worked at NASA. She helped calculate the speeds and forces needed for space missions and became NASA's first African American female engineer.
How did Mary Jackson use maths in her work?
Mary Jackson used maths to calculate how fast rockets needed to go, how far they could travel, and how much force was needed to control them. She used measurement, speed calculations, and understanding of forces to help make space travel possible.
Why is Mary Jackson important for learning maths?
Mary Jackson shows us that maths isn't just numbers on paper. It's used to solve real problems that help people travel into space, build better cars, and make technology safer and more useful.
How can I use the same maths as Mary Jackson?
You can use the same maths by measuring things, calculating how fast they move, and understanding how forces affect movement. Try measuring how far your toy car travels or how fast you can run!
What other famous engineers used maths like Mary Jackson?
Many engineers use similar maths, including Katherine Johnson, who also worked at NASA, and engineers who design bridges, planes, cars, and buildings. All use measurement, speed, and forces to make their designs work.