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10.2 The Olympics

10.2 The Olympics
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  • Math Help

    In Example 2, the graph shows the winning heights in meters. Remember that you can use the Length (Distance) Converter located in Tools to convert units of measure. For instance, 6 meters is about 20 feet. Also, note the gap in the graph from 1936 to 1948. The Olympics were not held during this time due to World War II.

    The graph below shows the men's pole vault world record progression. Note the gap in the graph from the early 1940s to the late 1950s. Pole vault technology improved in the 1950s, and the world record heights started rising again.

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  • Checkpoint Solution

    Sample answer:

    Improvements in technology, including changes in the material that the poles are made out of, allow high school students to pole vault at heights that would have broken Olympic records in 1950. For instance, in 1952, the Olympic record was 4.55 meters, or about 15 feet. At a 2007 Illinois state competition, high school junior Mitchell Erickson pole vaulted 16 feet 9 inches.

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    Ron Larson (author)1 decade ago |
    Note that the graph in Example 2 and the graph shown above are not representing the same data. The graph in Example 2 shows Olympic records. The graph shown above shows each time a new world record was set, whether that occurred in the Olympics or in other competitions.
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