Grand Prix

Here is a simple race track: Assuming a racing car is 2m wide, and travels around the centre line of the track, work out how much further the right wheels travel than the left wheels.

Solving the simple race track: The straights are all the same, so 2x100 = 200m for each wheel 50m 80m 100m The two corners together make a circle. The blue circle has a diameter of 80 – (30 ÷ 2) + 1 = 66m So the outside wheel circle is 66 = 207.35m (2dp) Which makes 407.35m (2dp) in total. The green circle has a diameter of 80 – (30 ÷ 2) - 1 = 64m So the inside wheel circle is 64 = 201.06m (2dp) Which makes 407.35m (2dp) in total.

Making it Equal You have bought a square field, 100m on each side, and enough tarmac for 600m of track. Can you design a race track that makes all the wheels travel the same distance? Explain that this is the general challenge, and then move on to the next slide to explain the scoring Use a scale of 1cm = 1m to draw your track

You need to have… A clear proof that the wheels will travel equal distances An imaginative design of track As close as possible to 600m of track used Your full track inside the 100m square field

Give a mark out of 10 for each of… A clear proof that the wheels will travel equal distances An imaginative design of track As close as possible to 600m of track used Your full track inside the 100m square field 10 mins to mark your neighbouring group 10 mins to mark your own group