Math in Sports

Math is a big part of every sport. Players and coaches use numbers to keep score, measure speed, and plan plays. Without math, we could not tell who wins or breaks a record.

Keeping Score

Every sport has a way to keep score. In basketball, some shots are worth 2 points and others are worth 3. In football, a touchdown is 6 points. You add up points to find the total.

Scoreboards show the numbers so fans can follow along. At the end of the game, the team with more points wins.

Stats and Records

Stats are numbers that describe how well a player does. A baseball player's batting average tells you how often they get a hit. A basketball player's free-throw percentage shows how many free throws they make.

Coaches study stats to pick the best players and make smart plans. Fans love comparing stats too.

Fun Facts

• A soccer field is about 100 meters long, which is the same as a running track's straightaway.
• Basketball legend Steph Curry once made over 400 three-point shots in a single season.
• In cricket, a perfect score for a bowler is called a hat trick, which means three outs in a row.

Did You Know?

Olympic swimmers are timed to the hundredth of a second. That is 0.01 seconds! Math helps us measure tiny differences.