Maths in basketball: shooting percentages

Quick answer

Maths in basketball helps us work out how good a player is at shooting by comparing how many shots they make to how many they try.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to calculate shooting percentages in basketball and use this to compare how well different players or teams shoot.

• You can work out what percentage of shots a player makes
• You can compare two or more players’ shooting skills
• You can explain why shooting percentage is important in basketball
• You can use maths to solve simple basketball-related problems

Why this matters

Understanding shooting percentages helps us see how good a basketball player is at scoring. It’s not just about how many points they score, but how often they make their shots. This is useful for coaches, fans, and even players who want to get better. You can also use this kind of maths in real life when comparing how well you do at things like games, school tests, or sports.

How it works

To find a shooting percentage, you need to:

1. Count how many shots a player makes (successful shots)
2. Count how many shots they try (attempts)
3. Divide the number of shots made by the number of shots tried
4. Multiply the result by 100 to get a percentage

For example, if a player makes 8 shots out of 10 attempts, their shooting percentage is 80%.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine a basketball game where two players are trying to score:

So, Mia is better at shooting because she made 70% of her shots compared to Alex’s 50%.

Let’s try a more complex example:

Both Sam and Lily have the same shooting percentage (60%). That means they are equally good at shooting, even though Lily took more shots.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Basketball Challenge

You are the coach of a basketball team and need to choose the best shooter for the next game. You have two players, Jordan and Zoe, who have taken some shots. You need to find out who is the better shooter.

Step 1: Jordan made 6 shots out of 8 attempts.

Step 2: Zoe made 9 shots out of 12 attempts.

Step 3: Calculate their shooting percentages.

Step 4: Decide who should play in the game.

How to do it:

For Jordan: 6 ÷ 8 = 0.75 → 0.75 × 100 = 75%

For Zoe: 9 ÷ 12 = 0.75 → 0.75 × 100 = 75%

They both have the same shooting percentage, so you might pick one based on other skills or how they play together.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Forgetting to multiply by 100 to get the percentage.
• Why it happens: The child might only do the division and not understand that percentages are parts out of 100.
• Fix: Always remember to multiply by 100 to turn the decimal into a percentage.

• Mistake: Mixing up the number of shots made and attempted.
• Why it happens: A child might accidentally swap the numbers when doing the calculation.
• Fix: Double-check that you are dividing shots made by shots attempted.

• Mistake: Thinking that a higher number of shots made always means a better player.
• Why it happens: A child might not understand that the percentage shows the rate of success, not just the total.
• Fix: Always calculate the percentage to compare players fairly.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help children learn about shooting percentages by:

1. Using real basketball games or videos to look at players’ shooting percentages together
2. Playing a game where you take turns shooting and calculating your own percentages
3. Encouraging children to think about how percentages can be used in other sports or games
4. Reinforcing the idea that a good percentage shows skill, not just how many shots you take
5. Practising the calculation steps with simple numbers first before moving to bigger ones

Remember to praise effort, not just correct answers. If a child makes a mistake, help them understand it without making them feel bad.

Practice questions

1. Player A made 4 shots out of 8 attempts. What is their shooting percentage?
2. Player B made 10 shots out of 20 attempts. What is their shooting percentage?
3. Player C made 15 shots out of 25 attempts. What is their shooting percentage?
4. Player D made 6 shots out of 15 attempts. What is their shooting percentage?
5. Player E made 12 shots out of 16 attempts. What is their shooting percentage?

Answers:

1. 4 ÷ 8 = 0.5 → 0.5 × 100 = 50%
2. 10 ÷ 20 = 0.5 → 0.5 × 100 = 50%
3. 15 ÷ 25 = 0.6 → 0.6 × 100 = 60%
4. 6 ÷ 15 = 0.4 → 0.4 × 100 = 40%
5. 12 ÷ 16 = 0.75 → 0.75 × 100 = 75%

FAQ

What is a shooting percentage?

A shooting percentage is a way to show how good someone is at making shots. It tells you what part of their shots they make, shown as a percentage.

Why is shooting percentage important in basketball?

It helps coaches and fans see who is the best shooter. It shows how well a player scores, not just how many points they get.

Can a player have a 100% shooting percentage?

Yes, if a player makes every shot they take, they have a 100% shooting percentage. It’s very hard to do, but it’s possible!

How do you calculate a shooting percentage?

You divide the number of shots made by the number of shots attempted, then multiply by 100.

How can I practice this at home?

You can take turns shooting baskets and record how many you make and how many you try. Then calculate your shooting percentage!