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