Math In Basketball Lesson Page 3
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31• Make one copy of the “Math in Basketball: Take the challenge” and “Math in
Basketball: Try other basketball challenges” handouts for each student.
• Print out one copy of the “Math in Basketball: Take the challenge” and the “Math in
Basketball: Try other basketball challenges” answer keys.
• Get rulers, graph paper, chart paper, grid whiteboards, overhead transparency grids,
etc. for students to record their work during the learning activities.
• Get colored stickers (optional) and colored markers, for students to mark the points
and construct the trajectory, or path, of the basketball in Learning Activity 1 & 2.
THE LESSON
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
1. Begin with a brief discussion about sports. For instance, if any of your students play
a sport, ask them to discuss the math they have used as athletes. Ask students what
sports they like to watch and how they keep track of their team’s progress. Ask
students to discuss the mathematics that players may use to track and maximize
their performance.
2. Explain that today’s lesson focuses on the use of math in basketball. Ask students to
brainstorm how they think mathematics might be used in the sport. (Sample
responses: knowing the rules of the game in terms of scoring, such as the shot clock
timing, overtime, types and point values of shots and fouls allowed; knowing the
dimensions of the court; statistical box scores, such as assists, turnovers, blocked
shots, steals, field goal attempts, three-point goals and attempts, and playing time;
ratios between two related statistical units, such as offensive rebounds and second-
shot baskets, or two that contradict each other, such as assists and turnovers; per-
minute and per-game statistics.)
3. Explain that today’s lesson features video segments and web interactives from Get
the Math, a program that highlights how math is used in the real world. If this is
your first time using the program with this class, you may choose to play the video
segment The Setup, which introduces the professionals and student teams featured
in Get the Math.
4. Introduce the video segment Math in Basketball: Introduction by letting students
know that you will now be showing them a segment from Get the Math, which
features Elton Brand, an NBA basketball player. Ask students to watch for the math
that he uses in his work and to write down their observations as they watch the
video.
5. Play Math in Basketball: Introduction. After showing the segment, ask students to
discuss the different ways that Elton Brand uses math in his work. (Sample
responses: He uses math to help improve his performance by using three key
variables to influence his free throw shot; he uses acceleration of gravity or
downward pull, the ball’s initial vertical velocity, and his release height to figure
3
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