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Maths in athletics: long jump distances

Athletics Maths

Maths in athletics: long jump distances

Measure and compare jumps.

Quick answer

Maths in athletics: long jump distances helps you measure, compare, and improve your jumps using numbers, distances, and simple calculations.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to measure and compare long jump distances using metres and centimetres, and understand how to improve your jump by using maths to track progress. Success signs:

You can measure a jump using a tape measure or ruler
You can compare two or more jump distances
You can add or subtract jump distances
You can explain how to improve a jump using maths

Why this matters

Maths is used in athletics every day, especially in long jump. Athletes need to measure how far they jump, compare their jumps to others, and track improvements over time. When you do long jump at school or at home, you're using maths to see how far you've come. Understanding distances and how they compare helps you become better at sports, and it’s useful in real life too – like when you’re planning a garden, measuring your room, or even cooking!

How it works

Long jump is a sport where you run and jump as far as you can. To measure how far you jumped, you use a measuring tape or ruler. You measure from the starting line to where your foot lands. Distances are usually shown in metres and centimetres. For example, if you jump 1.85 metres, that means 1 metre and 85 centimetres. To compare jumps, you can:

Measure each jump
Write down the distances
Use addition or subtraction to find the difference
See which jump was the longest or shortest

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you’re at a school athletics day and you and your friend are doing long jump. Jump 1: You jump 1.45 metres Jump 2: Your friend jumps 1.62 metres To compare:

1.62 metres is longer than 1.45 metres
Your friend jumped 0.17 metres further than you (1.62 - 1.45 = 0.17)

You can also add your jumps together to see your total distance:

1.45 + 1.62 = 3.07 metres

Let’s try another example with smaller numbers:

Jump 1: 0.85 metres
Jump 2: 0.72 metres

To find the difference:

0.85 - 0.72 = 0.13 metres

This means your first jump was 0.13 metres longer than your second.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Jump Challenge You are a long jump champion at school and you want to beat your personal best! Here’s your challenge:

First, you do a warm-up and jump 1.20 metres
Next, you try again and jump 1.35 metres
Then, you try one more time and jump 1.50 metres
Finally, you record your best jump

Now, you want to know how much further your best jump was than your first jump. Step-by-step:

First jump: 1.20 metres
Best jump: 1.50 metres
Subtract: 1.50 - 1.20 = 0.30 metres

Your best jump was 0.30 metres further than your first jump! Now it’s your turn:

Jump 1: 1.10 metres
Jump 2: 1.25 metres
Jump 3: 1.40 metres
Jump 4: 1.35 metres

What was your best jump? How much further was it than your first jump?

Common mistakes

Mistake: Confusing metres and centimetres Why it happens: It’s easy to mix up 1.50 metres and 150 centimetres. Fix: Remember 1 metre = 100 centimetres. So 1.50 metres = 150 centimetres.
Mistake: Not lining up the starting line correctly Why it happens: This can make your jump seem shorter or longer. Fix: Always start from the same spot and make sure your foot lands where it should.
Mistake: Forgetting to write down measurements Why it happens: You might forget how far you jumped. Fix: Use a notebook or a chart to record each jump.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child with long jump maths is simple and fun! Here’s how you can support them in 5–10 minutes:

Set up a small long jump area in your garden or living room using chalk or tape
Let your child jump and measure their distances together
Ask them to compare jumps: “How much further did you go this time?”
Use a ruler or measuring tape to help them measure in metres and centimetres
Encourage them to keep a jump log or chart to track progress
Ask questions like: “If you jumped 1.30 metres today and 1.45 metres yesterday, how much further did you go?”

What not to worry about:

They might make mistakes – that’s part of learning!
They might not jump as far as they think – that’s normal!
Don’t compare their jump to others – focus on their own improvement

Practice questions

Tom jumps 1.40 metres. Sarah jumps 1.55 metres. How much further did Sarah jump?
Jamie jumps 1.25 metres. He tries again and jumps 1.30 metres. What is the total distance of both jumps?
Lily jumps 1.10 metres. Her brother jumps 1.20 metres. How much further did her brother jump?
Alex jumps 1.65 metres. His friend jumps 1.50 metres. How much further did Alex jump?
Emma jumps 1.35 metres. She jumps again and goes 1.40 metres. What is the difference between her two jumps?

Answers:

0.15 metres
2.55 metres
0.10 metres
0.15 metres
0.05 metres

FAQ

What do I need to measure long jump distances?

You need a measuring tape or ruler that shows metres and centimetres. A chalk line or tape on the ground can help mark where you start and land.

How do I know which jump was the best?

The best jump is the one that goes the farthest. Compare the distances and see which one is the longest.

Can I use maths to improve my long jump?

Yes! By tracking your jumps and comparing distances, you can see where you’re getting better and where you can try to improve.

How can I practice long jump maths at home?

Set up a jump area in your garden or living room, measure your jumps, and compare them. You can also use online tools or apps to help you track your progress.

What if I don’t have a measuring tape?

You can use a ruler, a metre stick, or even a piece of string to measure. Just make sure you know how to read the measurements in metres and centimetres.