Shaping the Nation header

JOHN CURTIN LIKED MATHS - YOU MUST BE JOKING!

John Curtin was pretty good at everyday maths. How about you?

Task 1: Collecting facts

(HINT: You can follow the link under each question to see panels from the exhibition and find the dates you need.)

You can write your answers in the boxes provided, then check the answers when you have finished.

Event	Date
John Curtin was born in this year. See Insights into John Curtin's childhood.
Australia became a nation in this year. See Celebrating the nation.
Curtin started a job in Perth as a newspaper editor in this year. See From revolutionary to federal politician.
Curtin became the Federal Member for Fremantle in this year. See From revolutionary to federal politician.
Curtin became the Leader of the Opposition in this year. See The apprentice parliamentarian.
Curtin became Prime Minister of Australia on this date. (Give day, month and year.) See Curtin wins office.
Curtin insisted that our troops be brought back from the Middle East to Australia in this year. See A sign of independence.
Australia's war effort was recognised when Curtin travelled to America, Canada and Britain in this year. See Australia takes its place amongst world leaders.
John Curtin died in this year. See caption under the funeral photograph in The national leader.

Use the dates above to work out the following mathematical problems about Curtin's life.

1. How old was John Curtin when

a. Australia became a nation (ie federated)?	Year of federation
	Year of Curtin's birth
	Answer
b. he became editor of the Westralian Worker newspaper?	Year Curtin became editor
	Year of Curtin's birth
	Answer
c. he first became a Member of Parliament?	Year Curtin became an MP
	Year of Curtin's birth
	Answer
d. he became Prime Minister?	Year Curtin became PM
	Year of Curtin's birth
	Answer
e. he died?	Year of Curtin's death
	Year of Curtin's birth
	Answer

2. Use the answers from question 1 to work out the following maths problems.

a. John Curtin spent about a quarter of his life in Parliament. How many years did he spend in Parliament?	(Curtin's age at death)/4
	Answer
b. Curtin's home was in Perth for just over half his life. How many years was this?	(Curtin's age at death)/2
	Answer
c. Curtin left school when he was almost 14. What job was he doing when he was 3 times this age?	3x14
	Year of Curtin's birth
	Year
	Job