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Checkered Flag Activities and Projects for Grades 4–8

Third Edition

Roberta Dempsey,Barbara Gregorich

and Christopher Jennison

V3.0

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DedicationFor Jon Garfield, friend and teacher. With special thanks to Matthew Dempsey for suggesting the topic.

Our titles are available for most basic curriculum subjects plus many enrichment areas. For information on other Good Year Books and to place orders, contact your local bookseller or educational dealer, or visit our website at www.goodyearbooks.com. For a complete catalog, please contact:

Good Year BooksA Division of Social Studies School Service10200 Jefferson BoulevardCulver City, CA 90232-0802(800) 421-4246www.goodyearbooks.com

Illustrations by Doug Klauba.Book design by Patricia Lenihan-Barbee. Additional pages designed by Performance Design.

Cover photos:Front, top: photo by Barry Altmark.

Revised 2011. Third Edition.New Edition Editor: Mindy PoderCopyright ©1998, 2006 Roberta Dempsey, Barbara Gregorich and Christopher Jennison.All Rights Reserved.Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN-13: 978-1-59647-379-9

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, except those portions intended for classroom use, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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iii

Introduction

Welcome to the exciting

(and noisy) world of auto racing, a sport that is attracting the interest of youngsters in rapidly increasing

numbers. Stock car racing, one of the many types of high-speed competitions featured in this book, was the fastest-growing spectator sport of the 1990s. Millions of fans drive to racetracks around the country, and millions more watch events on television. The profusion of magazines, books, trading cards, models, apparel, and souvenirs further signifies the sport’s explosive growth and popularity.

An article on mathematics education reform in an issue of Phi Delta Kappan began, “Mathematical power for all students! Scientific and technological literacy, communication and higher problem-solving skills are the notes that make up that rallying cry.” Racing Math was written with an eye toward linking these objectives to motivating, “real-world” assignments. The book begins with specific, single-page activities, followed by more open-ended projects that typically involve research and cooperative learning. Throughout, the emphasis is on how and why, the essence of problem-solving. All activities and projects require the understanding and use of Common Core State Standards in mathematics, and many call on reading, writing, and thinking skills.

The book’s grade level range is 4–8, but there are no levels assigned to specific activities or projects. Aptitudes and abilities vary within each grade as well as across grade levels. The authors of this book feel strongly that the best person to determine an assignment’s appropriateness is the teacher.

Auto racing is filled with involving, contextualized math “events.” Youngsters love to compare the zero- to-sixty-miles-per-hour performances of their favorite cars; they enjoy calculating comparative lap times for stock car racers; and they are fascinated by speed records. Just imagine how drawn they’ll be to an activity on “How to Be a Race Car Driver.”

Depending on your students’ proficiencies, the assignments in this book can be used for enrichment, review, or reinforcement. The activities and projects progress from simple calculation exercises to more challenging involvements.

The authors make no apologies for activities that invite readers to simply

have fun. Many years ago educational reformer John Dewey said, "experience is most rewarding when it involves the seemingly contradictory traits of rigor and playfulness.” Mathematics is a means of investigation, a way of solving problems, and a way of thinking. It is connected to everything. Auto racing provides a rich connection.

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v

Contents

Activities

Road Race ..............................................................................................................................2CCS Standard: Number and Operations in Base Ten: Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.

Magazine Madness ...............................................................................................................3CCS Standard: Number and Operations in Base Ten: Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.

Speeding Up ..........................................................................................................................4CCS Standard: Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems.

Autocross Ladies ..................................................................................................................5CCS Standard: Number and Operations—Fractions: Understand decimal notation for fractions, and compare decimal fractions.

On the Road ...........................................................................................................................6CCS Standard: Measurement and Data: Represent and interpret data.

Sprint Cup Race ....................................................................................................................7CCS Standard: Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems.

Fast Laps ................................................................................................................................8CCS Standard: Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems.

Favorite Numbers .................................................................................................................9CCS Standard: Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Represent and solve problems using multiplication and division.

Points to Win .......................................................................................................................11CCS Standard: Measurement and Data: Represent and interpret data.

Drag Racing .........................................................................................................................12CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

Day at the Racetrack ..........................................................................................................13CCS Standards: Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Represent and solve problems using multiplication and division.Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Write and interpret numerical expressions.

One-handed Driving ...........................................................................................................14CCS Standards: The Number System: Compute fl uently with multi-digit numbers and fi nd common factors and multiples.Statistics and Probability: Develop understanding of statistical variability.

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vi

Contents

Odd Ovals ............................................................................................................................15CCS Standards: Statistics and Probability: Develop understanding of statistical variability.The Number System: Compute fl uently with multi-digit numbers and fi nd common factors and multiples.Statistics and Probability: Develop understanding of statistical variability.

Model Money .......................................................................................................................16CCS Standard: Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems.

Indy 500 vs. U.S. 500 ...........................................................................................................17CCS Standard: Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.

Hare Racing .........................................................................................................................18CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

Pikes Peak Hill Climb ........................................................................................................19CCS Standard: Number and Operations in Base Ten: Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths.

Way Graphic ........................................................................................................................21CCS Standard: Statistics and Probability: Develop understanding of statistical variability.

Racing Suits and Safety .....................................................................................................22CCS Standard: The Number System: Apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers.

And Laundry Too ................................................................................................................23CCS Standard: The Number System: Apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers.

Gross Tongues .....................................................................................................................24CCS Standards: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.The Number System: Apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers.

Long Day ..............................................................................................................................25CCS Standard: The Number System: Apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers.

Speedway Capacity ............................................................................................................27CCS Standard: Number and Operations in Base Ten: Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths.

Service with a Smile ...........................................................................................................28CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

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vii

Contents

Points, Points, Points .........................................................................................................29CCS Standard: Measurement and Data: Represent and interpret data.

Staggering Around .............................................................................................................31CCS Standard: Measurement and Data: Represent and interpret data.

Terry Labonte vs. Bobby Labonte ....................................................................................33CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

Metric Chassis .....................................................................................................................35CCS Standard: Measurement and Data: Convert like measurement units within a given measurement system.

First Wins.............................................................................................................................36CCS Standard: Statistics and Probability: Summarize and describe distributions.

Have a Seat ..........................................................................................................................38CCS Standard: Geometry: Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume.

French Grand Prix ..............................................................................................................39CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

Road Rally ............................................................................................................................41CCS Standard: Statistics and Probability: Summarize and describe distributions.

Big Winnings .......................................................................................................................42CCS Standard: Statistics and Probability: Summarize and describe distributions.

Spider, Spider ......................................................................................................................44CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

Television Ratings ..............................................................................................................45CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

Stock Car Growth ...............................................................................................................46CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Not a Drag ............................................................................................................................48CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Victory’s Vintage Storage ..................................................................................................49CCS Standards: Number and Operations in Base Ten: Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths.Geometry: Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume.

Tight Turns ..........................................................................................................................51CCS Standard: Measurement and Data: Geometric measurement: Understand concepts of angle and measure angles.

Contents

viii

Home Sweet Track .............................................................................................................53 CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Michigan International Speedway ...................................................................................54 CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

Track Size ............................................................................................................................55 CCS Standard: Geometry: Draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them.

Legends Cars .......................................................................................................................56 CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

Projects

So You Want to Be a Race Car Driver ...............................................................................58 CCS Standards: Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems. Measurement and Data: Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.

Fast, Faster, Fastest ...........................................................................................................60 CCS Standard: Measurement and Data: Represent and interpret data.

Follow Your Favorites ........................................................................................................61 CCS Standard: Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.

The Brickyard ......................................................................................................................64 CCS Standards: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems. Statistics and Probability: Summarize and describe distributions. Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

British Grand Prix ...............................................................................................................66 CCS Standard: Measurement and Data: Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.

World Land Speed Records ................................................................................................67 CCS Standard: Measurement and Data: Represent and interpret data.

Who’s Who Directory ..........................................................................................................68 CCS Standard: Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.

Sprint Cup Series ................................................................................................................71 CCS Standard: Statistics and Probability: Summarize and describe distributions.

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Contents

ix

Shirley Muldowney ............................................................................................................73 CCS Standard: Measurement and Data: Represent and interpret data.

Ice Racing ............................................................................................................................74 CCS Standard: Statistics and Probability: Summarize and describe distributions.

Indianapolis 500 Statistics ................................................................................................75 CCS Standards: Statistics and Probability: Summarize and describe distributions. Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Engine Blocks and Blockheads .........................................................................................80 CCS Standard: Mathematical Practices: Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

Hot Rod Season ...................................................................................................................81 CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

Autocross Racing ................................................................................................................85 CCS Standard: Geometry: Solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume.

Hot Rods and Funny Cars ..................................................................................................87 CCS Standard: Measurement and Data: Represent and interpret data.

Le Mans 24-hour Statistics ................................................................................................88 CCS Standards: Statistics and Probability: Summarize and describe distributions. Measurement and Data: Represent and interpret data.

Pistons and Power ..............................................................................................................92 CCS Standard: Operations and Algebraic Thinking: Represent and solve problems using multiplication and division.

Daytona 500 NASCAR Statistics ...................................................................................................93 CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

Pikes Peak or Bust ..............................................................................................................96 CCS Standards: Measurement and Data: Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit. Statistics and Probability: Summarize and describe distributions. Geometry: Solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume.

Fabulous Ferraris ................................................................................................................98 CCS Standard: Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.

Answer Key� .............................................................................................................101

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2

Road Race

Solve the following problems.

1. By the end of the third lap, four cars blew their engines, How many cars were left in the race?

2. During the tenth lap, a seven-car pileup eliminated each car involved in the crash. How many cars were left?

A total of 60 drivers entered the Kiltarten Road Race. The cars traveled over a three-mile road course for 24 laps.

3. In the fifteenth lap, corner workers waved two cars out of the race. How many cars were left?

4. An 11-car pileup in the twentieth lap eliminated each car involved in the crash. How many cars were left?

5. How many cars were eliminated in all?

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3

Magazine Madness

Kevin and Kara love to read about all kinds of auto racing. They especially love to read about it in magazines.

Popular Hot Rodding $16.94

Stock Car Racing $28.00

Autoweek $32.00

Circle Track & Racing Technology $23.95

Indy Car Racing $29.95

Solve the following problems.

1. How much will it cost Kevin to subscribe to both Indy Car Racing and Popular Hot Rodding?

2. How much will it cost Kara to subscribe to both Circle Track & Racing Technology and Autoweek?

3. What is the least Kara could spend by subscribing to two magazines?

4. What is the most Kevin could spend by subscribing to two magazines?

5. How much would it cost to subscribe to all five magazines for a year?

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4

Speeding Up

Solve the following problems.

1. Bob Sweikert won the 1955 Indy 500. His winning time was probably

3:54 5:10 1:20

2. Sweikert’s winning speed was probably

170 mph 110 mph 128 mph

3. The 1975 and 1976 Indy 500s weren’t a full 500 miles because of rain. In 1977 A. J. Foyt won. His winning time was probably

3:54 4:48 3:05

4. Foyt’s winning speed was probably

161 mph 255 mph 115 mph

5. In 1990 Arie Luyendyk won in 2:41. His winning speed was probably

300 mph 186 mph 292 mph

The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most famous auto races in the world. The winner drives the 500-mile race in the shortest time. In 1915 Ralph DePalma won in 5 hours

and 34 minutes (5:34). His average speed was 90 miles per hour. Twenty years later, in 1935, Kelly Petillo won in 4:42 at an average speed of 106 miles per hour.

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5

Autocross Ladies

Both men and women race in autocross meets sponsored by the Sports Car Club of America. In an autocross, drivers race their cars through a course of orange cones.

Each cone a driver hits adds a penalty of 2 seconds to his or her score. Samantha, Lauren, and Kelly raced in a ladies’ class autocross.

Solve the following problems.

1. Kelly’s slowest run was 49.0 seconds. Her fastest was 44.2 seconds. What was the difference between the two runs?

2. Samantha’s fastest run was 43.8 seconds, but she hit two orange cones. What was her score for that run in seconds?

3. Lauren’s first run was a perfect, but pokey 51.2 seconds. Her second run was 50.0 seconds and her third was 50.5 seconds. Lauren’s fourth run, in which she hit one cone, was 48.9 seconds. What was her final score for the fourth run?

4. Which of the three women had the lowest score?

Challenge problem

What was Lauren’s average speed for her four runs? (Don’t count the penalty.)

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6

On the Road

Zack and Jessica’s father is a stock car driver and their mother is a member of his pit crew. In the summer the family travels from race to race in a motor home.

During one two-week circuit, they went to four cities.

Cities Miles

Wichita to Springfield (MO) 287

Springfield to Memphis 281

Memphis to Corinth 93

Corinth to Chattanooga 225

Chattanooga to Atlanta 117

Atlanta to Charlotte (NC) 240

Charlotte to Raleigh 153

Raleigh to Savannah 343

Savannah to Jacksonville 140

Jacksonville to Baton Rouge 603

Baton Rouge to Oklahoma City 611

Oklahoma City to Wichita 157

Solve the following problems.

1. How far is it from Wichita to Memphis?

2. From Memphis to Atlanta?

3. From Atlanta to Raleigh?

4. From Raleigh to Jacksonville?

Challenge problem

After the race in Jacksonville, the family returned home to Wichita. How many miles in all did the family travel on this circuit?