Math is everywhere when most people first think of math or the word “Algebra,” they don’t get too excited. Many people say “Math sucks” or , “When are we ever going to use it in our lives.” The fact is math will be used in our lives quite frequently. For example, if we go watch a softball game all it is, is one giant math problem. Softball math can be used in many different ways. Math can be used in the game itself and the sales portion (ticket sales). Math is the key component to many of the worlds functions today.
One way that we can apply math to the game of softball is trying to find out the amount money collected by ticket and event sales. Another way that algebra could be used in softball is by trying to find the statistics of each individual player. In softball you can use algebra to try and determine how you can outplay the other teams by researching their players stats. These can be a major key in close game to plan a good strategy. This game is basically about skill and strategy and math can be a tool that can lead to success in both areas.
Another major key in
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Other than statistics math is constant being used with in every play. Reaction time is where it all starts, with the simple equation of Time = Distance / Velocity. I know hitting a baseball isn't the toughest thing in sports. But hitting a softball just might be. The reaction time to hit a softball is less than hitting a baseball. When counting in milliseconds, 20-20 vision isn't enough. For example Jennie Finch toured the country striking out Major League Baseball players such as Pujols and Piazza who have less reaction time against her 60 mph pitch from 43 feet (0.350 sec) than they do against a 95 mph baseball pitch from 60 feet 6 inches (0.395). Many don’t realize how much more mathematical softball is but now I can say it a lot more than just putting that jersey on and balling
Baseball statistics are meant to be a representation of a player’s talent. Since baseball’s inception around the mid-19th century, statistics have been used to interpret the talent level of any given player, however, the statistics that have been traditionally used to define talent are often times misleading. At a fundamental level, baseball, like any game, is about winning. To win games, teams have to score runs; to score runs, players have to get on base any way they can. All the while, the pitcher and the defense are supposed to prevent runs from scoring. As simplistic as this view sounds, the statistics being used to evaluate individual players were extremely flawed. In an attempt to develop more specific, objective forms of statistical analysis, the idea of Sabermetrics was born. Bill James, a man who never played or coached professional baseball, is often credited as a pioneer in the field and for coining the name as homage to the Society of American Baseball Research, or SABR. Eventually, the use of Sabermetrics became widespread in the Major Leagues, the first team being the Oakland Athletics, as depicted in Moneyball. Bill James and other baseball statisticians have developed various methods of evaluating a player performance that allow for a more objective view of the game, broadly defined as Sabermetrics.
While some people prefer the slower action of softball, others prefer the faster action of baseball. The game of baseball is male dominated because many males prefer the faster, harder baseball since it makes the game more of a challenge. On the other hand, both males and females play softball which uses a larger ball, that is slower pitched and, therefore, easier to hit. Many players feel that softball is safer than baseball because it does not involve a hardball travelling at high speeds at the batter.
The researcher has chosen to write this paper on hitting because she has played softball for twelve years and the perfect softball swing has always eluded her. The softball swing is one of the most difficult softball skills to achieve greatness in. There are a number of great hitters all with different batting stances and styles, each one comfortable to them. There are many different tactics and coaching ideas out there to help improve hitting. In fact, there are several videos now on the market to help the softball player perform better. Coaches often teach hitting drills to improve batting techniques and ability. Confidence is an important factor in hitting. If the player lacks confidence then she will not be a good hitter. Softball is not only a physical game but a mental game.
Baseball is a fascinating sport that is exceptionally fun to play. This assignment is all about understanding the physics of a few key aspects of this sport. One might ask what physics could have to do with baseball? Like most sports baseball involves physical motion. Baseball encompasses all three planes of motion through throwing, hitting, and fielding. All of the classical laws of mechanics can be applied to understand the physics of this game.
Baseball has always been a game of numbers. Fans of the game have grown up being able to recite them by heart; Ted Williams’.406 batting average, Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak, Babe Ruth’s 714 home runs. These numbers hold a special place in the history of the game. Statistics such as batting average, wins, home runs, and runs batted in have always been there to tell us who the best players are. Your favorite player has a .300 batting average? He’s an all-star. He hit 40 home runs and batted in 120 runs? That’s a Most Valuable Player Award candidate. Your favorite team’s best pitcher won 20 games? He’s a Cy Young Award contender. These statistics have been used to evaluate player performance since the game began. But what if we could dig deeper? What if there was a better method than batting average to determine who the best hitters are? What if we had a way to tell who the best pitchers are rather than relying on a counting statistic, such as wins? Welcome to the world of sabermetrics.
Softball and baseball are two sports that are very similar, yet very different. The techniques used are alike, but they’re not exactly the same. They are mostly different and similar in hitting, fielding, and pitching styles.
This may surprise you but, there are many jobs dealing with algebra, three different types of jobs that use algebra are accounting, home health care providers, and credit manager. These different jobs all require knowledge of algebra to be able to solve the problems, and to do daily work that happens within the job. Accountants use algebra to make decisions and such, while health care providers use it on a daily basis to take care of their patient. And credit managers use it to help people with their financial deals and such as. Algebra is also used on a most daily basis with the most simplest things that are done daily. Tasks such as: getting gas, buying and paying for items at the store, sharing candy among siblings, and exercising.
Baseball is a very well known sport and often known as “America’s pastime” and softball is highly similar, but with a few key differences. Many people just assume that the sport of baseball is more difficult than softball, but don’t actually know the specific parts of each of the two. Also, if you’ve never played one or the other sport, you shouldn’t be assuming anything at all in the first place. Although many assume one may be harder than the other, baseball and softball both have particular factors which make them both complex in their own way.
As usually happens when I encounter algebra, I was left with more questions than answers. But let me take a run at it. Algebra is a discipline and a whole body of study that many never master, yet many apply themselves to it. More than once has an algebra student challenged a teacher with the statement, “When am I ever going to use this stuff?” It seems esoteric. What is the practical application? It is an area of study where, for some, the easiest thing to do would be to throw up one’s hands and say, “It’s not for me,” and give up and move onto something easier or more fun. It takes discipline. It requires a “stick-to-it-tiveness” that many in our instant gratification world reject as too much trouble.
How Will I Use Math in Everyday Life All throughout the days I spent in school sitting in math class learning Algebra, Geometry, and the various other math courses, I pondered whether or not I would ever even use these math skills in my life. The sad truth is that you will most likely use most of the math skills that you learned throughout high school in everyday life. There are honestly so many different ways you can use math in life, like buying a car, your weekly trip to the grocery store, and even at home. It honestly hurts you to not pay attention because you will in fact use math in your everyday life. There are many different ways that math is used at home, just like everywhere else.
Another reason we should learn algebra is to enhance our pattern recognition skills. Pattern recognition is an important problem solving skill. If I can make a problem match a similar previously solved pattern, then the current problem is solved. This is a powerful tool. So powerful, in fact, that a mathematician’s work is more involved with determining whether a solution exists than actually finding the solution.
There are many reasons why Algebra matters in life. One reason that comes to mind is from an early age, your understanding and success in algebra can help build math confidence, notable achievements in high school coursework and college readiness, and more importantly help predict one’s salary earnings on so many levels. As one would know that nearly all sports statistics are produced using algebraic equations. Average points per game are used to determine the Most Valuable Player. Winning percentages are used to determine top rankings. These are calculated with concepts learned in Algebra. Formulas are a part of our lives, whether we drive a car and need to calculate the distance, or need to work out our food volume intake for dieting; algebraic formulas are used every day without us even realizing it.
Smith (2004) believes that mathematics is important to the structure of society. It is an important tool for the citizens of any society as users of the end product. Smith (2004: p. 13) believes that both children and adults should have a fundamental knowledge of mathematics
The history of algebra is very complex and went through many centuries of development to the algebra that we know today. Algebra is still being developed and will never quit being developed and added on to. Algebra is a relatively new form of math in the European countries and the Americas. Algebra helped mathematicians and scientists to develop many tools and theorems that people over the world use on a daily basis. Although algebra and geometry were considered separate subsets of math, the two subjects are now unified. Who knows what inventions and discoveries will be made with algebra in the future if mathematicians continue to study the discipline of mathematics.
While sitting in an advanced math class, do you ever wonder, “Why am I wasting my time learning something that I possibly may never use outside of school?” Well, you’d be surprised if you knew all the different careers and jobs that use advanced math every day. For example, carpenters, contractors, and even optometrists use geometry and algebra quite often. Whether you want to believe it or not, math is around you everyday. The buildings you live in, the glasses you wear, and even furniture you sit on all starts with math.