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Project Summary
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Time required | Average (about one week) |
| Prerequisites | Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel and statistics |
| Material Availability | Readily Available |
| Cost | Very Low (under $20) |
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Sponsor
| Sponsored by a generous grant from Motorola |
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Abstract
What makes a winning team? Getting all the best players? Good coaches? Good chemistry? This project will show you how you can use math to help you test your hypothesis about what makes a winning team.Objective
The objective of this project is to determine why teams win many more or fewer games than they're expected to based on runs/goals/points scored and allowed.
Introduction
The Pythagorean relationship is a fundamental one in sports: it correctly predicts the records of 98% of all teams. But in 2% of cases, it fails. Why does it fail?
Terms, Concepts and Questions to Start Background Research
Pythagorean Relationship, Bill James
Experimental Procedure
Find teams that deviated substantially from their expected Pythagorean record (this information is available for baseball teams on www.baseball-reference.com). Then look at their situational statistics (this information is available on ESPN.com) and determine what they did that resulted in more or fewer wins than they otherwise should have had. Determine what the teams have in common.
Variations
- For more science project ideas in this area of science, see Pure Mathematics Project Ideas.
Credits
Gabriel Desjardins
Last edit date: 2005-08-31 15:04:24
Career Focus
If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring careers in Pure Mathematics.
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Statistician Statisticians use the power of math and probability theory to answer questions that affect the lives of millions of people. They tell educators which teaching method works best, tell policy-makers what levels of pesticides are acceptable in fresh fruit, tell doctors which treatment works best, tell builders which type of paint is the most durable. They are employed in virtually every type of industry imaginable, from engineering, manufacturing, and medicine to animal science, food production, transportation, and education. Everybody needs a statistician! |
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