Why speedruns are maths stories

Quick answer

Speedruns are like maths stories because they use time, subtraction, and averages to track progress and improve performance. Every split time, route, and chart is a chance to learn and practice important maths skills.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how speedrun times, split times, and improvement charts help you learn maths skills like time, subtraction, and averages in a fun and exciting way.

• I can measure and compare time using seconds and minutes
• I can use subtraction to find how much time has passed
• I can calculate average times to see overall progress
• I can read charts and graphs to track my speedrun progress

Why this matters

Speedrunning is when someone tries to complete a video game as quickly as possible. It's not just about being fast – it's also about being smart with maths! When you speedrun, you're constantly measuring time, comparing your progress, and working out averages. These are all skills you use in school and in real life. Whether you're timing how long it takes to get to school, checking how much time you have left to finish your homework, or seeing how much faster you're getting at a game, speedruns are full of maths stories waiting to be discovered.

How it works

Speedruns use several maths concepts:

1. Time measurement – You need to know how long it takes to complete parts of a game
2. Subtraction – You find how much time passes between different parts
3. Averages – You work out your average time to see how you're improving
4. Charts and graphs – You track your progress over time

Let's look at how these skills come together in a real speedrun example.

Examples you can see

Imagine you're speedrunning a game and you're trying to beat your best time. Here's how you might track your progress:

Here's how the maths works:

• At the start, you're at 0 seconds.
• When you collect coins, you've taken 45 seconds. That's your split time.
• When you get to the jumping section, you've taken 72 seconds total. That's 72 - 45 = 27 seconds for just that part.
• To find your average time, you add all your split times: 45 + 27 + 33 + 15 = 120 seconds. Then divide by the number of parts: 120 ÷ 4 = 30 seconds average.

Try it as a mini adventure

Let's go on a speedrun adventure! You're a brave explorer trying to complete a treasure map. You have to find 4 clues and reach the treasure chest. Each clue takes a different amount of time to find:

1. Clue 1: Found in 32 seconds
2. Clue 2: Found in 48 seconds
3. Clue 3: Found in 25 seconds
4. Clue 4: Found in 51 seconds

Your challenge: What is your total time? What is the average time per clue?

Step-by-step solution:

1. Total time = 32 + 48 + 25 + 51 = 156 seconds
2. Average time = 156 ÷ 4 = 39 seconds

Great job! You've completed your speedrun adventure and used maths along the way.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Adding split times but forgetting to divide by the number of parts to find the average.
• Why it happens: Kids might get excited about adding numbers and forget the final step.
• Fix: Always remember: to find an average, add all the numbers and divide by how many there are.
• Mistake: Subtracting times incorrectly (like 72 - 45 = 25 instead of 27).
• Why it happens: Kids might misread the numbers or make a calculation error.
• Fix: Use a number line or count on your fingers to double-check subtraction.
• Mistake: Thinking that longer times are better in speedruns.
• Why it happens: Confusing speed with time.
• Fix: Remember: the faster you are, the shorter the time!

Parent and carer guide

Speedruns are a fun way to practice time, subtraction, and averages! Here's how to help your child:

• Time together: Set a timer and see how long it takes to do everyday tasks like getting dressed or packing a lunch.
• Track progress: Keep a chart of your child's times and help them find the average.
• Use real games: If your child plays games, encourage them to time their runs and see how they improve.
• Keep it fun: Don't pressure your child to get faster – focus on the maths and the learning.
• Ask questions: "How much faster were you this time?" or "What was your average time?"

Remember, speedruns are about practice and improvement, not perfection. Celebrate the maths and the journey!

Practice questions

1. Emma speedrun a puzzle game. Her times were: 1 minute 15 seconds, 1 minute 30 seconds, and 1 minute 45 seconds. What is her average time?
2. Tom completed a race in 2 minutes and 10 seconds. He took 45 seconds to reach the halfway point. How long did it take him to finish the second half?
3. Lucy speedrun a platform game. Her split times were: 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 20 seconds, and 35 seconds. What is her total time?
4. Ben is trying to beat his best time. His last 3 runs were 1 minute 20 seconds, 1 minute 15 seconds, and 1 minute 25 seconds. What is his average time?
5. Maya completed 5 levels in 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Her average time per level was 42 seconds. How long did the first level take if the others were all 42 seconds?

Answers:

1. 1 minute 30 seconds
2. 25 seconds
3. 1 minute 10 seconds
4. 1 minute 20 seconds
5. 30 seconds

FAQ

What is a speedrun?

A speedrun is when someone tries to complete a video game as quickly as possible. It's like a race, but with games!

Why do speedrunners track their times?

They track their times to see how they're improving and to try to beat their own best times. It's like keeping a personal record!

How can I use speedrun maths at home?

You can time yourself doing everyday activities, like getting dressed or doing chores, and calculate your average times to see how you're getting faster.

Do I need to be good at games to learn from speedruns?

No! You can learn the maths skills from speedruns even if you don't play the games. You can make up your own speedrun challenges.

What if I don't understand time?

That's okay! You can use a stopwatch or timer to help you learn. Practice counting in seconds and minutes, and you'll get better!