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Athletics Maths

Maths in athletics: relay splits

Add team split times.

Quick answer

You can add team split times in athletics to find the total race time.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to add up the times from each runner in a relay race to find the total time for the team. Success signs:
  • You can write down each runner's split time
  • You can add the split times together
  • You can find the total time for the team
  • You can explain why adding split times helps in athletics

Why this matters

In athletics, especially relay races, each team member runs a part of the race. These parts are called "splits". When you add up all the splits, you get the team's total race time. This helps people know how fast the team ran the whole race. It's also useful for comparing teams or tracking your own progress over time. You use maths in real life when you add up your shopping bills, or when you count how long it takes to get ready for school.

How it works

Adding relay split times is simple:
  1. Each runner has their own time for their part of the race
  2. Write down each runner's time
  3. Add all the times together
  4. The total is the team's race time
Let's look at how this works with numbers and real examples.

Examples you can see

Let's imagine a 4x100m relay race where each runner runs 100 metres. Here's how the split times might look: 4x100m Relay Split Times
Runner Split Time (seconds)
Runner 1 13.2
Runner 2 12.8
Runner 3 13.5
Runner 4 12.9
Now, let's add them up:
  • Runner 1: 13.2 seconds
  • Runner 2: 12.8 seconds
  • Runner 3: 13.5 seconds
  • Runner 4: 12.9 seconds
Total = 13.2 + 12.8 + 13.5 + 12.9 = 52.4 seconds So the team's total time is 52.4 seconds. Let's try another example with whole numbers: 3x50m Relay Split Times
Runner Split Time (seconds)
Runner 1 8
Runner 2 9
Runner 3 7
Total = 8 + 9 + 7 = 24 seconds

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The School Relay Race You are part of a school athletics team preparing for the big relay race. Your team has four runners, and you need to work out the total time. Your job is to collect each runner's split time and add them up to find the team's total time.
  1. Runner 1: 14.2 seconds
  2. Runner 2: 13.8 seconds
  3. Runner 3: 14.1 seconds
  4. Runner 4: 13.9 seconds
Now, add them together to find the team's total time.
  1. 14.2 + 13.8 = ?
  2. 14.2 + 13.8 + 14.1 = ?
  3. 14.2 + 13.8 + 14.1 + 13.9 = ?
You've done it! The team's total time is 56.0 seconds.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Forgetting to add all the split times together.
    Why it happens: It's easy to think that the fastest runner's time is the team's time.
    Fix: Make sure to add all runners' times to get the total.
  • Mistake: Adding the times incorrectly, like 13.2 + 12.8 = 25.0.
    Why it happens: When adding decimal numbers, it's easy to make a mistake.
    Fix: Line up the decimal points and add carefully.
  • Mistake: Mixing up which runner's time is which.
    Why it happens: When working with many numbers, it's easy to get confused.
    Fix: Write down each runner's name next to their time.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Using a real relay race from TV or the internet to practice adding split times
  • Playing a game where you each take turns calling out split times and adding them up
  • Using a stopwatch to time different parts of a walk or run and adding them together
  • Encouraging your child to explain how they added the split times
  • Practicing with simple whole numbers before moving to decimals
Remember, it's normal for children to make mistakes when learning new skills. Be patient and encourage your child to keep trying. You can also use everyday activities like cooking or shopping to practice adding numbers.

Practice questions

  1. Runner 1: 15.3 seconds, Runner 2: 14.7 seconds, Runner 3: 15.1 seconds, Runner 4: 14.9 seconds. What is the total time?
  2. Runner 1: 10 seconds, Runner 2: 11 seconds, Runner 3: 9 seconds. What is the total time?
  3. Runner 1: 12.5 seconds, Runner 2: 12.2 seconds, Runner 3: 12.8 seconds. What is the total time?
  4. Runner 1: 16.4 seconds, Runner 2: 16.1 seconds, Runner 3: 15.9 seconds, Runner 4: 15.6 seconds. What is the total time?
  5. Runner 1: 8.2 seconds, Runner 2: 8.8 seconds, Runner 3: 8.5 seconds. What is the total time?
Answers:
  1. 15.3 + 14.7 + 15.1 + 14.9 = 60.0 seconds
  2. 10 + 11 + 9 = 30 seconds
  3. 12.5 + 12.2 + 12.8 = 37.5 seconds
  4. 16.4 + 16.1 + 15.9 + 15.6 = 64.0 seconds
  5. 8.2 + 8.8 + 8.5 = 25.5 seconds

FAQ

What is a relay split?

A relay split is the time it takes for one runner to complete their part of the race.

Why do we add split times?

We add split times to find the total time the team took to finish the whole race.

Can I add split times with decimals?

Yes! You can add split times even if they have decimal points, like 13.2 seconds or 14.8 seconds.

How can I practice adding relay splits?

You can practice by timing different parts of a walk or run and adding the times together.

What if I make a mistake when adding?

That's okay! Make sure to line up the decimal points and double-check your work. You can also ask someone to help you check.