Maths and the Olympics - January 2012, Stage 3&4

At the start of this Olympic year, here is a collection of resources which show that maths is indeed to be found in many different aspects of sporting events!

Problems

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Medal Muddle

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Countries from across the world competed in a sports tournament. Can you devise an efficient strategy to work out the order in which they finished?

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The Olympic Flame: Are You in the 95%?

Stage: 2, 3 and 4 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

95% of people in Britain should live within 10 miles of the route of the Olympic Torch tour. Is this true?

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Triathlon and Fitness

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

The triathlon is a physically gruelling challenge. Can you work out which athlete burnt the most calories?

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Charting More Success

Stage: 3 and 4 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Can you make sense of the charts and diagrams that are created and used by sports competitors, trainers and statisticians?

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Speed-time Problems at the Olympics

Stage: 4 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to race against Usain Bolt?

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The Olympic Torch Tour

Stage: 4 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Imagine you had to plan the tour for the Olympic Torch. Is there an efficient way of choosing the shortest possible route?

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice. More information on many of our other activities can be found here.
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