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1
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2
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3
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- I inadvertently use math while mountain biking when quickly approaching
a large log in the trail. I must quickly adjust cadence (rotation of my
pedals) to make sure my pedals are horizontal to the ground when I hit
that log. Otherwise it’s over the handlebars for me!
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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- Although not necessary, it is interesting to keep an odometer to track
speed, distance, and time. In order to set the odometer, you must take
the exact measurement of the circumference of the tire in centimeters.
It is also important to have your tires at the right air pressure since
that will change the circumference!
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9
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- Every once in a while biking I check my RPM (rotations per minute) to
make sure I’m in an appropriate gear, a good rate is about 80rpm.
- In order to check this, I do not count my rotations for a full minute.
Instead, I check the time on my odometer and count my rotations for 10
seconds. I then multiply that number by 6. And then that is my total
RPM!
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10
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- After a multi-day trip, I like to review my statistics to help in the
mapping out of the next trip. Something that interests me most is my
average miles per hour. To check this for the overall trip, I take the
average miles per hour for each day. I add up these numbers and then
divide by the total number of days. On my last trip, I averaged 15.3mph.
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11
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12
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13
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- Although I have always realized that if I point my skies straight down
the slope, I will go faster than going from side to side and cutting
across the hill, this made me think about it from a new perspective. The
angles involved in skiing are crucial in determining your speed down the
slope. If you go perpendicular to the slope you will slow down and come
to a stop…always good to know when learning!
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14
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- I have also realized the most common lesson taught to learning skiers is
“the pizza slice”. This also involves angels as it creates a wedge shape
with your skies facing the point down hill. This shape will help you
stop at slow speeds because it creates resistance with the snow by
pushing it out from two angles at once.
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15
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- With the short days in the dead of winter, cramming as much skiing into
the day is a calculation of about how long the chairlift takes to get
you up the mountain (20 minutes—5 of that waiting in line) and the time
it takes down the mountain (10 minutes)! With a 9am to 4pm day of
skiing, I estimate I can take a 30 minute lunch break and still get in
about 13 runs!
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16
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- Skiing sure isn’t the cheapest activity, so how much would it cost per
run if you got in all 13 runs?
- A weekend day ski pass to Smuggler’s Notch costs $60.
- Therefore, each run costs about $4.62. I guess that’s not too bad. . .
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17
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- Although running is a great workout and can be enjoyable, sometimes I
find myself thinking math while running to keep my mind off running. My
typical run is about 3 miles and I know where landmarks are that mark 1
and 2 miles. Therefore, I find myself doing fractions to keep my mind
off running. When I’m about ½ mile into the run, how far is that of the
total run? I am 1/6th of the way done!
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18
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- When I first started getting interested in running I took many small
strides, I felt I was keeping my energy more. But then someone said,
“Hey, you can go twice as far with each step!” Now I take strides that
are almost twice as long as before without using much more energy…that
has helped me go for longer distances!
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19
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- I do not have an odometer to tell me my speed for running. Therefore, in
order to get an idea of my miles per hour for a three mile run I check
the time when I start and then again when I finish. Once I have the
total amount of time for the run, I take that number divided by the
total miles. This gives me how many miles per minute, multiply by 60 to
get miles per hour. This is something I do often to determine my
improvement.
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20
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- When hiking I run into quite a bit of math. A common tool among hikers
these days is a handheld GPS (Global Positioning System). A GPS is able
to pinpoint a location within 3 feet. As a hiker this is a useful tool
when “bushwhacking”. And if used near a trail you will be able to add
and subtract to determine how far off you are from the main trail.
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21
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- Math is used constantly when observing a contour map. This kind of map
will show you how steep a trail is. Each of the lines on the map
represent the change in elevation. Therefore, to determine how steep my
hike will be on a map where the lines represent 10 feet of elevation, I
know the areas where the lines are close it’s going to be very steep. I
can even add the lines together to determine how many feet in elevation
I will be gaining.
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22
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- When going for an overnight hike, it is extremely important to bring
enough water. I must consider the water I will drink plus the water I
need for cooking.
- I determine the meals I will be making and add up the amount of water
required to make my meals. I then assume I will need 80oz of drinking
water for each day.
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23
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- An overnight hike means I also have to add up the amount of food I need
to bring for my dog. She eats 2 cups of food twice a day. If we go for
two full days, I will need to pack 8 cups of food for her.
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24
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- Getting to your destination before dark is always a plus. To arrive to
the campsite in time requires a close look at the map and it’s contours
to know how intense the hike is. I am familiar with my abilities and can
determine how long a trail will take. So once I know my trail and
destination, I am certain to get moving in time to arrive before dark!
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25
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- Brewing beer involves math in every step of the process. One part of
brewing is the hour long boil. The goal is to end with about 5 gallons.
I have found that during the boil, almost one gallon turns to steam and
is evaporated. Therefore, I start with about 6 gallons.
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26
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27
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28
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29
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Notes
