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Athletics Maths

Athletics race rankings maths challenge

A child-friendly sports challenge using race rankings to practise ordinal numbers with real examples.

Quick answer

By practising athletics race rankings, children learn to use ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.) to show the order of finish in races.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use ordinal numbers to show who came first, second, third, and so on in a race. Success signs:
  • You can say which place a runner finished in (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)
  • You can put runners in order from first to last
  • You can use ordinal numbers in sentences like "Sarah came 4th in the race"
  • You can match ordinal numbers to positions in a line or race

Why this matters

Ordinal numbers are used in many real-life situations, not just races. When you line up for a bus, when you finish a race, or when you are in a competition, you need to know who came first, second, third, and so on. This helps you understand order and position, which is important in maths and in everyday life. Whether you're playing a game, cooking, or even just lining up for lunch, knowing ordinal numbers helps you understand where things are in a sequence.

How it works

Ordinal numbers show the position or order of something in a list or race. For example:
  1. First place is 1st
  2. Second place is 2nd
  3. Third place is 3rd
  4. Fourth place is 4th
  5. Fifth place is 5th
Each number tells us where someone or something is in a line or race. You can also use ordinal numbers to describe where you are in a queue, like "I am 3rd in line".

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine a race with five runners. Here are their finishing positions: Race Results
Runner Position Ordinal Number
Amy 1st 1st
Billy 2nd 2nd
Charlie 3rd 3rd
Daisy 4th 4th
Edward 5th 5th
You can see that Amy finished first, Billy second, Charlie third, Daisy fourth, and Edward fifth. These are all ordinal numbers.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The School Sports Day You are helping to organize the school sports day. There are three races:
  • 100m sprint
  • Long jump
  • Relay race
You have to record the results for each race. Here’s how to do it: 1st Race: 100m Sprint
  • Runner 1: 1st place
  • Runner 2: 2nd place
  • Runner 3: 3rd place
  • Runner 4: 4th place
  • Runner 5: 5th place
2nd Race: Long Jump
  • Runner 1: 2nd place
  • Runner 2: 1st place
  • Runner 3: 3rd place
  • Runner 4: 5th place
  • Runner 5: 4th place
3rd Race: Relay Race
  • Runner 1: 3rd place
  • Runner 2: 1st place
  • Runner 3: 2nd place
  • Runner 4: 4th place
  • Runner 5: 5th place
Your challenge is to write down the results for each race using ordinal numbers. You can draw a chart or write it out. Then, answer these questions:
  • Who came 1st in the 100m sprint?
  • Who came 4th in the long jump?
  • Who came 2nd in the relay race?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Saying "1st", "2nd", "3rd", "4th", "5th", "6th", "7th", "8th", "9th", "10th", "11th", "12th", "13th", "14th", "15th", "16th", "17th", "18th", "19th", "20th" but forgetting that 11th, 12th, and 13th are different from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
    Why it happens: Children often think all numbers ending in "th" are the same.
    Fix: Remember that 11th, 12th, and 13th are special and don’t follow the "1st, 2nd, 3rd" pattern.
  • Mistake: Mixing up the order of runners in a race.
    Why it happens: It’s easy to confuse who came 2nd and 3rd.
    Fix: Draw a picture or use counters to help you keep track of the order.
  • Mistake: Using "1st", "2nd", "3rd" instead of "1st", "2nd", "3rd" when talking about positions.
    Why it happens: Some children mix up how to write the numbers.
    Fix: Practice writing the ordinal numbers with your fingers or on paper.

Parent and carer guide

Help your child understand ordinal numbers by playing simple games at home:
  • Ask them to line up their toys and say who is 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. in line.
  • Play a game where you race around the room and count who finishes first, second, third, etc.
  • Use ordinal numbers in daily life: "You are 1st in line", "We are 2nd in the queue", "The dog is 3rd in the garden".
  • Encourage them to write out ordinal numbers as they practice.
  • Be patient if they make mistakes. It's normal to mix up positions at first.

Practice questions

  1. Who came 1st in a race with these finishers: 1st, 3rd, 2nd, 4th, 5th?
  2. Which runner came 3rd in this race: 5th, 2nd, 3rd, 1st, 4th?
  3. What number comes after 5th?
  4. What number comes before 7th?
  5. Who came 2nd in this race: 4th, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th?
Answers:
  1. 1st place
  2. 3rd place
  3. 6th
  4. 6th
  5. 2nd place

FAQ

What are ordinal numbers?

Ordinal numbers tell us the position or order of something in a list or race, like 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.

Why do we use ordinal numbers in athletics?

We use ordinal numbers to show who won, who came second, third, etc. in races. This helps us understand who did best.

How can I practice ordinal numbers at home?

You can practice by lining up toys or family members and saying who is 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. You can also play games where you race and count who finishes first.

What is the difference between ordinal and cardinal numbers?

Cardinal numbers tell us how many of something (like 1, 2, 3, 4), while ordinal numbers tell us the position or order (like 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th).

Are there any fun ways to learn ordinal numbers?

Yes! You can play games like "Line Up", where you race to be 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. You can also use songs, chants, or drawing pictures of races to help remember the order.