EVERYDAY maths problems — from working out a sale discount to how much it will cost to drive to a specific location — can be accessed with the launch of a new Bolton College app.

The Maths Everywhere app is now available to download, after it made the final four of a competition run by National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and Maths4Us.

The app, created by Bolton College lecturers, was then selected as the outright winner through a public vote and was awarded £60,000 to produce the problem-solving app.

It was assisted by Manchester-based Modern-English, which has worked with music legends Pink Floyd, academics at Oxford University Saïd Business School and worldwide pharmaceutical brand, AstraZeneca.

Not only will the app give answers to maths problems, it will show how the question is worked out and take the “fear” out of maths.

Pat Harrison, director of 14-19 learning at Bolton College, said: “As one of the core subjects here at the college, there is a strong emphasis on maths and I’m in no doubt that this app is going to inject some fun into what is a stereotypically dry subject.

“By helping to improve maths skills through day-to-day problem solving, we hope it will encourage the study of maths at a higher level, providing adults with greater confidence in their numerical skills at home and at work, while giving young people a vital grounding as they embark on their career. Maths is a fundamental skill that employers expect their staff to have a good grasp of, regardless of their profession. That’s why we embed the subject, as well as English, into all our programmes.

“This ensures that all learners understand their relevance and can see first-hand how the skills they’re acquiring will help them in their future careers.”

Bruce Thomas, director of modern English, said: “We’re very proud to have created an innovative and exciting piece of educational software.”

Carol Taylor, director of development and research at NIACE, said: “Maths crops up many times each and every day, everywhere, in everyone’s life. And far too many adults find everyday maths tasks — from budgeting and sharing the bill after a meal to getting the best deal when shopping or banking — challenging.

“People see maths as something very intelligent people ‘do’.

“They don’t see maths as an essential set of skills for work, family and health. We want to engage people through showing how everyone uses maths every day. It’s also vital to show that it can be fun, save you money and that it’s not something to be scared of.”