Mathematics and the Olympics

South Headteachers Meeting

15 June 2011

Olympic and Paralympic Values• respect – fair play; knowing

one’s own limits; and taking care of one’s health and the environment

• excellence – how to give the best of oneself, on the field of play or in life; taking part; and progressing according to one’s own objectives

• friendship – how, through sport, to understand each other despite any differences

• courage

• determination

• inspiration

• equality

www.london2012.com/getset

The closest the torch comes is Chelmsford on Friday 6 July

Using each of the digits 1-9 once, place the digits so that the total in each ring is the same.

Rings as a starting point for mathematical activity...

•Circumference- diameter

•How could we measure the “perimeter” of an Olympic ring? What would the total “perimeter” of the rings be? •How accurately can we draw the Olympic rings – with and without a compass?

•What other ways could we arrange the 5 rings? Why do you think this arrangement was chosen?

•Using the Olympic Rings as a Venn Diagram where the colours represent the “set,” can we find flags of competing countries that would fit into each set? Which countries are they? •List 5 reasons why you think the circle was chosen as a symbol for the Olympics.

•Circle hunt: In many events do circles or rings feature?

Data Handling and the Olympics

http://www.mapsofworld.com/olympic-trivia/ olympic-games-results/medals-by-country.html

Who really won the 2008 Olympics?

Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total

USA 36 38 36 110

CHN 51 21 28 100

RUS 23 21 28 72

GBR 19 13 15 47

AUS 14 15 17 46

GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL

China 153 42 28 223

USA 108 76 36 220

Russia 69 42 28 139

GBR 57 26 15 98

Australia 42 30 17 89

GOLD SILVER BRONZE TOTAL

Australia 0.000209%

GBR 0.000073%

Russia 0.000051%

USA 0.000037%

China 0.000010%

The Olympic “Games”

• Boxing• 110m hurdles• Weight lifting

Going for Gold Thursday 24 November Colchester

Wednesday 18 January Baddow