The Power of Diversity
Algebra 1: Standing Tall
Professional athletes always have been larger than life. But anecdotal and
Statistical evidence suggests that sports men and women are much bigger in
relation to the general population than they have ever been; and the gap continues
to trend upward.
"Bigger, stronger, faster ... I think all athletes are," said longtime Orioles star Cal
Ripken, who at 6’4” and 220 lbs remains the biggest man ever to be a full-time
major-league shortstop. "I think you can make the same assumption in baseball as
the other sports like basketball, football and soccer."
Adapted from source: DOES SIZE REALLY MATTER? Today’s major leaguers are bigger and stronger
than those of earlier eras - physical size of baseball players. Baseball Digest, July, 2001 by Peter Schmuck
Use the data sheet of NBA player height and weight averages to complete the table below.
Season
Average NBA player height
1. Describe any patterns you notice in the data
1950-51
1960-61
1970-71
2. Predict the average height of a basketball
player in the 2050-51 season.
1980-81
1990-91
2000-01
© 2009 LAUSD Mathematics
CA Algebra 1 7.0 Students verify that a point lies on a line, given an equation of the line. Students are able to derive linear equations by using the point-slope formula.
The Power of Diversity
Graph the data points from your table on the graph below.
Next use a ruler to draw an approximate line of best fit.
3. Find the equation of your line of best fit. (Show all your work)
© 2009 LAUSD Mathematics
CA Algebra 1 7.0 Students verify that a point lies on a line, given an equation of the line. Students are able to derive linear equations by using the point-slope formula.
The Power of Diversity
4. What is the slope of your line of best fit? How does that relate to your answer to question 1?
5. Predict what you think the average player’s height will be in the 2050-51 season and explain
how you made you prediction.
6. Is your answer to question 5 different from your answer to question 2? Why might this be so?
7. How long will it be before the average player height is 7 feet? Explain how you know this.
Reflection: Describe how you used Algebra in this task.
© 2009 LAUSD Mathematics
CA Algebra 1 7.0 Students verify that a point lies on a line, given an equation of the line. Students are able to derive linear equations by using the point-slope formula.
Student Page 1.1A: What’s Going On? (Data Sheet 2)
Baseball Statistics
ERA
1991-2000
1981-1990
1971-1980
1961-1970
1951-1960
1941-1950
1931-1940
1921-1930
Total HR
Champs
15
20
13
11
15
13
11
10
Average
Height
6'3"
6'3"
6'2"
6'1"
6'1"
6'0"
6'0"
6'0"
Average
Weight (lbs)
218
208
201
202
194
195
194
187
Average HR
Output
48
40
40
46
42
36
40
41
Source: DOES SIZE REALLY MATTER? Today’s major leaguers are bigger and stronger than those of
earlier eras - physical size of baseball players. Baseball Digest, July, 2001 by Peter Schmuck
National Basket Association Player Height and Weight Averages
AVERAGE PLAYER HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
Season Height Weight
1951-52 - 6’4.5” 198 lbs.
1954-55 - 6’5” 203 lbs.
1957-58 - 6’5” 205 lbs.
1960-61 - 6’5.5” 207 lbs.
1963-64 - 6’6” 211 lbs.
1966-67 - 6’6” 210 lbs.
1969-70 - 6’6” 211 lbs.
1972-73 - 6’6” 211 lbs.
1975-76 - 6’6.5” 209 lbs.
1978-79 - 6’6.5” 206 lbs.
1981-82 - 6’6.5” 210 lbs.
1984-85 - 6’7” 212 lbs.
1987-88 - ??? ???
1990-91 - 6’7” 215 lbs.
1993-94 - ??? ???
1996-97 - 6’7” 224 lbs.
1999-00 - 6’7.5” 225 lbs.
1949-50 - 6'4" 197 lbs.
1952-53 - 6'4.5" 200 lbs.
1955-56 - 6'5" 206 lbs.
1958-59 - 6'5" 208 lbs.
1961-62 - 6'5.5" 208 lbs.
1964-65 - 6'6" 213 lbs.
1967-68 - 6'6" 211 lbs.
1970-71 - 6'6" 210 lbs.
1973-74 - 6'6" 210 lbs.
1976-77 - 6'6.5" 208 lbs.
1979-80 - 6'6.5" 208 lbs.
1982-83 - 6'7" 211 lbs.
1985-86 - 6'7.5" 214 lbs.
1988-89 - 6'7" 214 lbs.
1991-92 - 6'7" 216 lbs.
1994-95 - ??? ???
1997-98 - 6'7" 223 lbs.
2000-01 - 6'7" 224 lbs.
1950-51 - 6'4" 198 lbs.
1953-54 - 6'5" 205 lbs.
1956-57 - 6'5" 207 lbs.
1959-60 - 6'5.5" 206 lbs.
1962-63 - 6'5.5" 208 lbs.
1965-66 - 6'6" 211 lbs.
1968-69 - 6'6" 214 lbs.
1971-72 - 6'6" 211 lbs.
1974-75 - 6'6" 208 lbs.
1977-78 - 6'6.5" 207 lbs.
1980-81 - 6'6.5" 209 lbs.
1983-84 - 6'7" 211 lbs.
1986-87 - 6'7.5" 215 lbs.
1989-90 - 6'7" 214 lbs.
1992-93 - 6'7" 217 lbs.
1995-96 - 6'7" 223 lbs.
1998-99 - 6'7" 224 lbs.
Source: The Association for Professional Basketball Research, P.O. Box 35771 • Phoenix, AZ 85069-5771
http://members.aol.com/bradleyrd/apbr-faq.html
Lesson 1.1: Generations
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