🧠 Part 1: Understanding Critical Thinking

1. What does critical thinking mean in mathematics? Choose the best answer:

Memorising formulas quickly

Questioning assumptions and exploring multiple solutions

Using a calculator for all problems

Following one method only

2. Which of these are important steps in critical thinking? (Tick all that apply)

Understanding the problem

Questioning assumptions

Accepting the first answer

Exploring multiple solutions

Checking your answer

3. Critical thinking in maths helps us in real life because:

It makes us faster at calculations

It helps us make better decisions with data and numbers

It impresses our friends

It's only useful for maths tests

💭 Part 2: Real-World Applications

4. Scenario: You want to buy a new mobile phone plan. Plan A costs $25 per month with 5GB data. Plan B costs $35 per month with unlimited data. How would critical thinking help you decide?

5. You're planning a trip to Auckland that's 350 kilometres away. Your car uses 8 litres per 100km, and petrol costs $2.50 per litre. What questions would a critical thinker ask before calculating the cost?

6. Complete this sentence: "When I use critical thinking in maths, I should always _________________ before accepting an answer."

🎯 Part 3: Personal Reflection

7. Describe a situation from your own life where you used (or could have used) critical thinking with numbers or maths. Explain your thinking process.

8. Why do you think critical thinking is important in mathematics and everyday life?

Extension Challenge: Create your own real-life maths problem that requires critical thinking. Write it on the back of this sheet and challenge a classmate to solve it!