Mathematical literacy
PISA treats mathematics as a tool for solving real-life problems: translating a situation into mathematics, solving it and making sense of the result.
Definition
Mathematical literacy is the capacity to reason mathematically and to formulate, employ and interpret mathematics to solve problems in a variety of real-world contexts. It helps describe, explain and predict phenomena and supports well-founded decisions. The 2022 framework put mathematical reasoning at the centre.
Reasoning and three processes
Formulate
Turn a real situation into a mathematical problem: what is known, what is needed, which model fits.
Employ
Calculate, transform and use mathematical methods to reach a result.
Interpret and evaluate
Take the mathematical result back to the situation and check whether it makes sense.
Content categories
- Change and relationships: functions, growth, describing dependencies.
- Space and shape: geometry, measurement, visualisation.
- Quantity: numbers, measures, estimation, percentages.
- Uncertainty and data: probability, statistics, interpreting data.
Contexts
Tasks are set in four contexts: personal (family, shopping, health), occupational (calculations at work), societal (transport, elections, policy) and scientific (nature, technology).
Levels
The mathematics scale is divided into levels from 1c to 6. A student at Level 2 can recognise a simple situation as mathematical without being told how. Students at Levels 5–6 model complex situations, compare approaches and justify their reasoning.
In class
- Instead of a problem with a ready formula, give a situation and ask students to build the problem themselves.
- After an answer, always ask: “Does this make sense?”
- Solve one situation in two ways and compare.
Example task: “Is a travel pass worth it?”.
Sources
Our summary of the PISA 2022 mathematics framework.