Speed-time Problems at the Olympics

'Speed-time Problems at the Olympics' printed from https://nrich.maths.org/

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Why do this problem?

This task provides an engaging context for students to explore speed, distance and time problems. Some of the questions require students to make assumptions or find out extra information.

Possible approach

These resources may be useful: Speed-Time Problems at the Olympics,

Speed-Time Problems at the Olympics.

Here are some ways the questions in this problem could be used:

Display one question at the start of a lesson, give students some time to work out their response, and then discuss as a class different ideas and methods.
Give all eight questions out and invite students to work on them in pairs or small groups before bringing the class together to share their answers and debate any disagreements.
Give out different questions to different pairs and then invite each pair to present their answer, with the rest of the class acting as critical friends insisting on clear reasoning.

There may be opportunities for cross-curricular links with P.E. where students may have collected their own data about their best times for 100 and 200m. It may be appropriate to adapt some of these questions and use students' own times.

It is important to be aware throughout that these questions are (deliberately!) not as 'precisely' stated as typical textbook questions. For example, the phrase 'If she had continued running ...' from lane 2 requires an assumption to be made before computation of an answer. There is no absolutely 'right' way to make these assumptions, although assumptions need to be made clearly. You might need to encourage or reassure the class that they are 'allowed' to make their own sensible assumptions on which to base their calculations if they are unused to working in this way. You might find that rich mathematical discussion emerges from the discussion of the modelling assumptions made on certain parts of the question.

Key questions

What assumptions do you need to make?
Is there any extra information you need to know?

Possible support

We assume students will use calculators when working on these questions. Inviting students to work together will allow them to support each other. Some of the questions could be worked on as a whole class and solution methods could be modelled on the board. The first four questions are similar in nature, and easier than the last four.

Place Your Orders might provide a suitable introductory activity.

Possible extension

The challenging task Speedo invites students to think about questions of speed, distance and time where acceleration plays a part.