Math used in professional auto racing involves every type of math learned in school today. Math is used in every aspect of a race car’s design and performance. Drivers are analyzed using every known math equation possible to determine how good a driver is on the race course. Some math concepts used in auto racing include:
- Basic Math
- Algebra
- Measurement
- Problem Solving
- Calculus
- Trigonometry
- Geometry
- Data Analysis
Every Day Math
Everyday math is used to analyze a professional driver to make comparisons and determine where improvements are needed. For example:
- How fast a driver makes his/her way around a corner compared to other drivers?
- How fast the driver goes down a straight away?
- Race speeds compared to practice and qualifying speeds
- Laps led in races
- Average finishing position
- Quality passes – passing other cars in the top 15
- Total winnings in money
- Number of top 5 finishes
- Number of top 10 finishes
- Number of pole positions
- Number of wins
Math You See in a Race
You may not realize it, but you see math in every race. It may not be obvious; however, here are a few examples:
- Number of laps, with the number of laps remaining in the race
- Number of laps lead by a particular driver
- Average speeds for cars
- Miles per hour of cars
- Instantaneous speed of a car at specific points on the course
- Seconds ahead or behind
- Number of laps behind or ahead
- Number of cars on the lead lap
These are just a few of the types of math used in auto racing.
Race Cars are Math Manipulatives
Before, during, and after a race everything about a race car is measured. Such as:
- Tire tread depth of the remaining tread on a tire is measured to determine how the car is handling after it is removed from the race car
- All four tires are measured and the data is used to determine the forces being applied to each tire
- Pit crews are measured to see how long it takes them to handle all the manipulative aspects of the race car to get it back on the track
- The angle on the spoiler is measured before and after the race to ensure it meets the rules
- The amount of gas used during the race is measured to determine fuel efficiency and how far the car will go a tank of gas
Race car designers have to face math problem solving situations when building a new car, such as:
- Weight restrictions the car must fall within to meet specifications
- Weight of all materials to construct the car
- Roll cage measurements
- Engine size and weight
- Transmission gear ratios and weight
- Driver’s seat fits driver
- Fuel tank weight when full
- Size of tires
- Weight of driver and driver’s equipment
Not only do designers take weight into consideration, they also have to determine precise measurements to cut materials. These measurements are typically down to the millimeter (mm) range. High performance professional auto racing requires cars be built within a mm of design specifications, so the car will work properly on the track.
As you can see, math is used everywhere in professional auto racing and this is just an overview of the big measurements. The engine builder must use precise measurements to construct the engine from raw metal materials. The all important sponsor stickers on the car must be placed in the right location through measuring their relationship to other stickers. Visit An Interactive K-12 Math Website for online math simulations.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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