Olympic Math’s
We have been given a series of ten graphs to find which one represents which Olympic event. We must look at the trends of the graphs, dates and unusual feature to get the correct answer.
Graph 1
Graph 1 shows the records for the men’s 100 meters sprint. We can deduct this because the times are around the 10 second mark and as the most famous event; everyone knows that this is roughly how long it takes. Also, it shows a negative correlation which suggests that it has been measured in time. Over more, the fact that the times are getting shorter suggests that more training and running techniques are getting developed.
Graph 2
Graph 2 shows the results for the men’s long jump. We can tell this because the positive correlation shows an increase of distance thanks to new techniques and athletes. Also, the record of about 8.9 meters is the same as displayed on the graph.
Graph 3
Graph 3 shows the results for the women’s 1500 meters. This is because there is a negative correlation which shows that the times are getting faster and the athletes are getting fitter. Also, the times are slower than that of the men’s showing that it is a women’s event because they are not as physically fit.
Graph 4
Graph 4 shows the results for the men’s high jump. This is because the highest jump on the graph is the same as the record. Also, because of the change from the scissor jump to the modern backwards jump, the record has increase further.
Graph 5
Graph 5 shows the results for the men’s javelin. We can tell this because the positive correlation shows that it must be a distance graph and the increase displays people getting better because of new techniques and training improvements.
Graph 6
Graph 6 shows the results for the women’s high jump. This is because the highest jump is lower than the men’s which demonstrates the fact that they are less physically fit. Also, the women’s did not start till more than 20 years after the men’s high jump displaying sexism.
Graph 7
Graph 7 represents the results for the men’s Decathlon. We can tell this because it is a series of ten different events and that it is scored in points. Also, the record of roughly 8900 points is unusually large to have been scored in any other event. However, between the years of about 1925 and 1955 the scores for this event was unusually low and this could be because of the recovery and during the world wars. Also, because of these wars the best athletes might have been killed and athletes with less ability may have been forced to take their place.
Graph 8
Graph 8 shows the women’s 10000 meters. This is because it is displayed by time ranging from 31:44.69 to 29:54.66. So, because of these large times we can only predict that it is the longest event. Then, because of the negative correlation we can see that the women competing are getting fitter over the years.
Graph 9
Graph 9 shows the results for the men’s 4x100 meters relay. The negative correlation tells us that it is a time graph because the times have been improving. Also, as it takes less than 4 times as long as the men’s 100 meters we can tell it is this because it is 4 times as long. Also, because the men are being switched over, the do not get that worn out so they can chop fractions off of their times.
Graph 10
Graph 10 shows the records for the women’s 100 meters sprint. We can tell this because the times are slower than the men’s which demonstrates that men are more physically fit. Also, it did not start till later than the men’s 100 meters and this was because of sexism that used to exist meaning women could not compete.
By Matthew Webb