My Math Project
For my math project, I decided to interview a few coworkers since I plan on going to school to become a radiography technologist. I currently work in the medical field of radiology as a radiology tech assistant. I thought this would be a great way to see how I will be using math in my future career. There are several different modalities in the radiology department from x-ray, mammography, CAT scan and MRI. Since I’m not sure what modality I would like to work in once out of school, I decided to ask a coworker from each modality to see how they use math.
My coworker, Erica, that works in the x-ray modality in the light room said that she uses math daily with her job. Her math usage ranges from basic math of adding and subtracting
…show more content…
Whether it’s basic math or something a little bit more complex like needing to use angles. X-rays uses math by having to angle the tube to get the best imaging possible. The mammography modality is very similar in that they use a lot of angles to get the best image for the study. From the sounds of it, CT used to use math quite a bit before computers came and programs came out to help the technologist calculate how much contrast to use or how much radiation is needed. With MRI, it sounds like to me they use basic math skills like rounding and addition or subtraction. Something that I found interesting when interviewing the mammography department was that when they are taking the images, specifically the MLO view, that the angle of the images are very important. If the technologist angles too steep or not steep enough, they could be cutting out some very important information on the images. Another thing that I thought was interesting was that if the technologist doesn’t get the best imaging possible then they get a slip called a QA, quality assurance, from the radiologist stating what the technologist could have done better. I would have to say that x-ray and mammography seems to still use the most math skills out of the modalities that I interviewed and it seems like computer programs are helping technologists make their job a little bit easier by having all the formulas and protocols ready to
The potential profession I am going to pursue is Radiology. Radiology deals with taking x-rays of the body and diagnosing what you find wrong. How the radiology unit works is getting a patient and having the radiologist technician take images of the body by using machines. Different types of machines such as, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET), identify all the images being taken of the human body (Phillip Costello, 2014). After the images have been taken they are sent to the radiologist to be interpreted. After being interpreted the patient is then told their diagnoses. Each of these steps involves writing in a certain form. Writing is a form of communication in the radiology unit so it must be specific and clear for someone else to interpret.
Attending Florida Southwestern State College to become an x-ray tech is a huge accomplish for me. Because I have a learning disability unfortunately I have to take remedial courses like intermediate algebra, Brush up English, and a reading course the first semester. The good thing about studying Radiology is you can switch to any type of jobs in this field. For an example, you can switch to working with MRI’s or Cat Scans if you want to try another department in the Radiology field. This specific field is for you to work with x-rays. It’s important to know the bone structure .You can work with ultrasounds to, Cat Scans, to MRI’s (Magnetic resonance imaging).
The role of the radiologist is one that has undergone numerous changes over the years and continues to evolve a rapid pace. Radiologists specialize in the diagnoses of disease through obtaining and interpreting medical images. There are a number of different devices and procedures at the disposal of a radiologist to aid him or her in these diagnoses’. Some images are obtained by using x-ray or other radioactive substances, others through the use of sound waves and the body’s natural magnetism. Another sector of radiology focuses on the treatment of certain diseases using radiation (RSNA). Due to vast clinical work and correlated studies, the radiologist may additionally sub-specialize in various areas. Some of these sub-specialties include breast imaging, cardiovascular, Computed Tomography (CT), diagnostic radiology, emergency, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, pediatric radiology, radiobiology, and Ultrasound (Schenter). After spending a vast amount of time on research and going to internship at the hospital, I have come to realize that my passion in science has greatly intensified. Furthermore, both experiences helped to shape up my future goals more prominently than before, which is coupled with the fact that I have now established a profound interest in radiology, or rather nuclear medicine.
Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve always known that I wanted to be in a career that involved helping people. I believe that entering a career as a Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician will help me fulfill my desire to help others. I have come to realize the great importance that early detection plays in the medical field. Early detection is key to fixing a problem before it gets worse.It would be extremely fulfilling to have a career that may potentially stop a small health issue from becoming a life-threatening illness. Being an Ultrasound Technician and performing diagnostic sonograms will help me to detect any medical issues a patient might be unaware of so that a physician can properly diagnose and treat the patient early and effectively.
Math is everywhere when most people first think of math or the word “Algebra,” they don’t get too excited. Many people say “Math sucks” or , “When are we ever going to use it in our lives.” The fact is math will be used in our lives quite frequently. For example, if we go watch a softball game all it is, is one giant math problem. Softball math can be used in many
Being able to identify lumps, swelling, tissue damage, cysts, and the overwhelming news of the sex of a baby all have something in common, an ultrasound. Swelling of the spleen, kidney stones, blood clots, aneurysms, cancer and so much more can be identified through the works of an ultrasound’s imaging technique. Ultrasound involves many concepts, procedures, and careers. The amount of medical possibilities involved with ultrasounds is useful in major medical diagnostics. The field of ultrasounds and career opportunities are widely growing. As medical careers flourish, needs for technicians in many fields of medicine are increasing. Instead of a doctor choosing complex and risky surgery to find out problems within the body, they can now choose a safer path; the ultrasound path. Patient’s history and physical evaluation are building blocks to diagnostics but ultrasounds are much greater. They are powerful tools used to see beyond the skin into the depths of a person’s body. What ultrasounds are, what types there are, and what they are used for, and the education and careers available are the major themes found in research on the subject. Knowledge of ultrasound and its background may help one decide what career is best for them. Understanding the wide array of diagnostic tests and their uses are essential to figuring out what a career as a sonographer entails and the type of education that is needed. Because there are plenty of possibilities for specializing with different technologies, there is a wide variety of job opportunities in the medical imaging career. The call for ultrasound’s assistance opens new paths in future high-quality careers.
The career I have chosen to pursue is radiologic technology. I have been interested in x-ray for quite some time. At first, a simple picture of a broken wrist sparked my interest. It was beautiful. The advanced technology that allows us to see the inside of the human body without exploratory surgery for a diagnosis amazed me. As I looked further into this career, I found out just how fascinating this field is. Not only are the pictures helpful in finding loose fragments and setting a bone back in place, x-ray pictures can show pneumonia, cancer, and even heart failure. According to the career assessment test for interests and skills, my high scores are the following: arts, audio-video technology, communications, and human services. According to a test in work values, what is most important to me is having a variety and a sense of achievement in my chosen field of work. To rely on these results alone, I would be an excellent radiologic technologist.
The Aztecs also used mathematics for astronomy. Kind of amazing right? Although most of their information in math astronomy was lost there is a pretty good synthesis of the remaining information in the book “Skywatchers” by Anthony Aveni. For example the Aztecs calculated that the cycle of Venus was 584 days. The aztecs even did the math to workout out the eclipse season although they didn’t know the shape of the earth or the size. Even though they figured out when
In my opinion, most people tend to say “I hate math”. People are usually quick to think that mathematics is just about algebra and calculations and they don’t realize that math goes way beyond that. We use math every day in our life whether we realize it or not. I think the reason why most people tend to say they hate math is because of the way math was taught to us in the first place. In high school we were taught to study to just pass the exam but whether we learned or not did not matter. I think that our teachers should be able to show their love for mathematics by the way they are teaching. You do not have to be a genius at math in order to appreciate its art just like you don’t have to know how to read music in order to appreciate it.
Many people in this world want to make a difference in life. However, most people do not want to put in all the effort that it takes to do so. The job of a pediatrician is life-changing to many. Unfortunately, it takes drive and effort that many people do not have, to become a pediatrician. A pediatrician’s job is a highly-skilled and interesting job because he or she has the privilege to deal with and help as many children as possible.
One job the requires algebra is an Animator. Animators have to draw all kinds of pictures and cartoons and it requires them to use linear algebra for every movement a character or object may make. Algebra also helps create special effects to make the images shine and sparkle. The requirements you must have to do this type of job is that of course you have to have talent, some type of degree in animation, and be pretty decent in math. Animators make around $47,000 a year.
The math of the Ancient Egyptians is both simple and complex. With their methods of math usage, they could find complex and definite solutions to any problem. This especially came in handy for everyday challenges, not just record keeping and pyramid building. The math of the Egyptians is both extensive and accurate.
Mathematics is everywhere we look, so many things we encounter in our everyday lives have some form of mathematics involved. Mathematics the language of understanding the natural world (Tony Chan, 2009) and is useful to understand the world around us. The Oxford Dictionary defines mathematics as ‘the science of space, number, quantity, and arrangement, whose methods, involve logical reasoning and use of symbolic notation, and which includes geometry, arithmetic, algebra, and analysis of mathematical operations or calculations (Soanes et al, Concise Oxford Dictionary,
Math is a very important subject because not only does it improve your learning skills but it also improves your problem solving and creative techniques as well.
After coming to the conclusion that I want to work in the medical field I have done countless amounts of research and learned that I have to take more challenging courses of mathematics which excites me that I will be able to attain an even higher understanding of math and use my understanding to help others. Whereas countless people may dislike math I embody it. I can see math incorporated into clothes, architecture, people and technology. Math is everywhere I turn and allows me to flourish.