The space station supply quest

Quick answer

You can plan a space station supply mission by using maths to work out how much oxygen, food, time, and storage space you need for astronauts.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to plan how much food, oxygen, and storage space you need for a space station mission.

• You can add up how much food each astronaut needs for a whole mission
• You can work out how many days a supply of oxygen will last
• You can use multiplication to find how much storage space you need for all supplies
• You can solve problems about time and space using simple maths

Why this matters

Maths is used every day in space missions! When astronauts go to space, they need to make sure they have enough food, oxygen, and room for all their supplies. Space is very small and very expensive, so every item needs to be planned carefully. You can use maths to solve problems like:

• How many sandwiches do 3 astronauts need for 5 days?
• How long will 100 litres of oxygen last if they use 5 litres each day?
• How much space do 20 tins of beans take up if each tin needs 2 square feet?

When you learn to plan supplies like this, you're using the same maths skills that real astronauts and space engineers use!

How it works

Planning a space station supply mission is like solving a puzzle. You need to:

1. Count how many astronauts are going
2. Work out how much each person needs per day
3. Add up all the supplies needed
4. Check if there is enough storage space
5. Make sure you have enough time for the mission

Let's use a space adventure to show how this works!

Examples you can see

Imagine you are planning a mission for 4 astronauts who will be in space for 10 days. Here's how you can use maths to work out what you need:

Example 1: How much food?

Each astronaut eats 3 meals a day. Each meal is 500g of food.

First, work out how much food one astronaut eats per day:

3 meals × 500g = 1,500g per day

Next, work out how much food 4 astronauts eat in 10 days:

1,500g × 4 astronauts × 10 days = 60,000g = 60kg of food

Example 2: How long will oxygen last?

The space station has 150 litres of oxygen. Each astronaut uses 3 litres a day.

First, work out how much oxygen 4 astronauts use in one day:

4 astronauts × 3 litres = 12 litres per day

Next, work out how many days the oxygen will last:

150 litres ÷ 12 litres per day = 12.5 days

So the oxygen will last 12 days and a half!

Example 3: How much storage space?

Each food tin takes up 2 square feet of space. You need 60 tins of food.

Work out how much space 60 tins take up:

60 tins × 2 square feet = 120 square feet

Try it as a mini adventure

Let's go on a space adventure! You are the space station commander planning a mission for 3 astronauts. You have 20 days to plan for. Here's your challenge:

Space Station Supply Quest

Each astronaut needs:

• 2 meals a day
• Each meal is 400g
• 1 litre of water per day
• 100 litres of oxygen for the whole mission

Your mission: Calculate how much food, water, and oxygen you need for the 3 astronauts over 20 days.

4th time: You need to work out how much food each astronaut eats in 20 days.

5th time: You need to calculate how much food all 3 astronauts eat in 20 days.

6th time: You need to work out how much water all 3 astronauts drink in 20 days.

7th time: You need to find how much oxygen is needed for 3 astronauts over 20 days.

Here's a table to help you:

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Adding the number of astronauts to the number of days instead of multiplying them.
  Why it happens: Confusing the operation needed for the problem.
  Fix: Remember that when you have groups of items (astronauts) that each have the same amount (days), you multiply.
• Mistake: Forgetting to convert units like grams to kilograms.
  Why it happens: Not paying attention to the units in the problem.
  Fix: Always check what units you're working with and convert when needed (1,000g = 1kg).
• Mistake: Dividing the wrong way around when working out how long supplies last.
  Why it happens: Mixing up which number goes into which.
  Fix: Make sure you divide total supplies by supplies used per day.
• Mistake: Not checking if your answer makes sense.
  Why it happens: Rushing through the problem.
  Fix: Always ask, "Does this answer make sense?" For example, if you get 500 days of oxygen from 100 litres, you know something is wrong.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child with space station supply maths is a fun way to practice real-life skills. Here's how you can support them in 5-10 minutes:

• Ask questions: "How much food would you need for your family for 5 days?" This helps them think about multiplication.
• Use everyday examples: When cooking, ask how many portions you can make with 20 eggs if each portion needs 2 eggs.
• Check answers: Ask them to explain their thinking. If they say 100 ÷ 5 = 20, ask them to check by doing 20 × 5.
• Use real items: Use kitchen scales to weigh food and see how much 100g looks like.
• Be patient: It's normal for children to make mistakes. Use them as learning opportunities.

Remember, this is about problem-solving, not just getting the right answer. Encourage your child to explain their thinking, even if they make a mistake.

Practice questions

1. How much food (in kg) would 5 astronauts need for 7 days if each eats 600g per day?
2. If a space station has 200 litres of water and 4 astronauts each use 3 litres a day, how many days will the water last?
3. A space mission needs 300 square feet of storage. If each item takes up 5 square feet, how many items can fit?
4. If 3 astronauts each use 2 litres of oxygen per day, how much oxygen is needed for 10 days?
5. How much food (in kg) would 2 astronauts need for 15 days if each eats 800g per day?

Answers:

1. 5 astronauts × 600g × 7 days = 21,000g = 21kg
2. 4 astronauts × 3 litres = 12 litres per day; 200 ÷ 12 = 16.67 days
3. 300 ÷ 5 = 60 items
4. 3 astronauts × 2 litres × 10 days = 60 litres
5. 2 astronauts × 800g × 15 days = 24,000g = 24kg

FAQ

Why do astronauts need to plan supplies so carefully?

Astronauts have to plan everything because space is very small, very expensive, and there's no shop nearby to get more supplies. Every gram of food and every litre of oxygen has to be planned.

How do astronauts know how much food to pack?

Astronauts eat the same meals every day, so they can plan how much food they need for the mission. They also know how much each meal weighs, so they can multiply and add up.

Can I use this space station maths for other things?

Yes! You can use the same maths to plan a picnic, work out how much money you need for a trip, or even plan how many cookies you need for a party.

What if I don't know how to do multiplication?

You can think of multiplication as repeated addition. For example, 4 × 3 means 4 + 4 + 4 = 12. You can also use drawings or objects to help you count.

Is this the same as real space missions?

Yes! Real space missions use exactly the same maths to plan supplies. Engineers and scientists use these calculations to make sure astronauts have everything they need.