Math used in professional auto racing involves every type of math learned in school today. Math is used in every aspect of a race cars 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 MathAlgebraMeasurementProblem SolvingCalculusTrigonometryGeometryData AnalysisEvery 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 speedsLaps led in racesAverage finishing positionQuality passes passing other cars in the top 15Total winnings in moneyNumber of top 5 finishesNumber of top 10 finishesNumber of pole positionsNumber of winsMath 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 raceNumber of laps lead by a particular driverAverage speeds for carsMiles per hour of carsInstantaneous speed of a car at specific points on the courseSeconds ahead or behindNumber of laps behind or aheadNumber of cars on the lead lapThese 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 carAll four tires are measured and the data is used to determine the forces being applied to each tirePit 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 trackThe angle on the spoiler is measured before and after the race to ensure it meets the rulesThe amount of gas used during the race is measured to determine fuel efficiency and how far the car will go a tank of gasRace 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 specificationsWeight of all materials to construct the carRoll cage measurementsEngine size and weightTransmission gear ratios and weightDrivers seat fits driverFuel tank weight when fullSize of tiresWeight of driver and drivers equipmentNot 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.
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