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CSEC Mathematics SBA

The document summarizes a student research project that measured the times of 20 classmates running 50m on both the curved and straight sections of a track. Time trials were conducted for both sections and the results were recorded, analyzed through tables, graphs, and calculations of averages, ranges and speeds. The analysis found that on average it took 0.87 seconds longer to run 50m on the curved section compared to the straight section. While a small difference for some individuals, the data overall supported that it takes longer to run the same distance on the curved part of the track versus the straight.

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Ashwell Kissoon
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105 views

CSEC Mathematics SBA

The document summarizes a student research project that measured the times of 20 classmates running 50m on both the curved and straight sections of a track. Time trials were conducted for both sections and the results were recorded, analyzed through tables, graphs, and calculations of averages, ranges and speeds. The analysis found that on average it took 0.87 seconds longer to run 50m on the curved section compared to the straight section. While a small difference for some individuals, the data overall supported that it takes longer to run the same distance on the curved part of the track versus the straight.

Uploaded by

Ashwell Kissoon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CSEC Mathematics SBA

SBA Title
Does it take longer to run 50m on the curved part of a track than it takes to
run the same distance on the straight?
Introduction
One of the most exciting events in the field of athletics is the 4x100 meters
relay. This event is a team event and much care and strategy goes into
choosing the right persons for the right legs. Athletes are chosen based on
their ability to run the curve, the straight or their ability to hand off or
receive a baton. Some athletes prefer to run the curves while others prefer
to run on the straights. This SBA will attempt to discover if it takes longer to
run the same distance on the curve or the straight part of the track.
 
Method of collecting data
The student researcher will ask 20 classmates during PE time to run 50m on
the curved part of the track. They will all be using the same lane. Each
person’s time will be measured using a stopwatch, rounded to the nearest
tenth of a second and the time will be recorded. Those same persons on a
separate PE class time will be asked to run 50m on the straight part of the
track. The results will be measured in the same way as the distance on the
curve and recorded. The two sets of times will then be compared and
analyzed. 
Presentation of data
The table below shows the data collected for the times taken to complete
the 50m on the curve and on the straight. The students here have been
labeled using letters and not their unique names.

The Histogram below shows the times taken to complete the 50m run on the
straight part of the track. The majority of the athletes finished the race
within 7 – 8 seconds. 
This histogram below shows the times taken for students to finish the 50m
on the curve. The Histogram shows that the majority of students finished

within 8 – 9 seconds. 
The comparative bar chart below shows the times side by side for each
athlete who completed the two events.  

The Line graph below shows the times in seconds it takes to complete both
events. It gives a clearer picture of the times taken to complete both events
and gives a clearer basis for analysis of the events

Analysis of data
The 50m straight run had a range of 2.7 seconds. This means that it took 2.7
seconds for all the athletes to cross the finish line once the first person had
crossed. The 50m run on the curve had a range of 3.3 which is 0.6 which is
3.3 seconds longer than on the straight. The average time taken to run the
50m on the straight is given as 7.69 seconds. The average time taken to
complete the 50 run on the curve was calculated as 8.56 seconds. On
average it took 0.87 longer to complete the 50m run on the curve than it
took to complete the run on the straight. The average speed taken complete
the 50m run on the straight was calculated using the formula S+D/T, this
showed that the speed on the straight was 6.5m/s compared with 5.8m/s on
the curve. The average speed over the 50m straight was faster than on the
curve by 0.7m/s. 

The table below shows the difference in times taken to complete the two
events for each student. The table shows that all athletes had at least a
marginal increase in the time taken to complete the events.

Discussion of findings
 
While it was expected based on the observation of especially 4x100m relays
where the curves become very critical, that it would take longer to run the
curve than on the straight it needs to be pointed out that in an actual relay
the person running the third leg will often run just as fast as the person
running the second or anchor leg since those persons do not use a cold start
out of the blocks.
The data shows that if both starts are cold, that is if both start out of the
blocks, then it takes  a longer time to run the 50m around the curve than on
the bend. While in some cases there is a very small difference the fact
remains that there was a difference.
 
 
Conclusion
This SBA started with the assumption that it takes longer to run 50m on the
curved part of a track than on the straight assuming that in both cases a
cold start is used. The data shows beyond doubt that it does indeed take a
longer time to run the curve. 

Appendix of Diagrams and Mathematical Knowledge used


The standard 400m track, the redline shows the approximate 50m on the
curve and the blue line shows the approximate 50m straight 

 Bar Graph
 Line Graph
 Histogram
 Grouped distribution
 Average speed
 Range
 Mean

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