Mathematics and Physical Education

1. WORKSHOP #1
ANCIENT PENTATHLON AND MATHEMATICS
In ancient Greece, sports were a significant part of everyday life and an important factor of
young people’s education.
The well-known words gymnasium, gymnastics, gymnast and all similar, originate from the Greek word
γυμνός (gymnos), which means naked, because the athletes were exercising naked in public stadiums
and gyms.
The Olympic Games, dated from 776 BC, were the most important sports event in ancient Greece. The
games were taking place next to the city of Olympia, in the summer, every 4 years and held in honor of
the greatest ancient god, Zeus.
Athletes from all over the country were taking part. The winner of an Olympic event was only awarded
an olive branch but would receive fame and honor throughout Greece.
Pentathlon is a contest featuring five competition events. The name is derived from Greek,
combining the words pente (five) and -athlon (competition) (Greek: πέντ-αθλον). The five events were
contested over one day, for the Ancient Olympic pentathlon, starting with the long jump, javelin
throwing and discus throwing, followed by the stadion (a short foot race) and wrestling. Pentathletes
were considered to be among the most skilled athletes. Their training was often part of military service
and besides improving general health, it was an excellent way to build a beautiful body sculpture.
Aristoteles said “Pentathletes have the best looking bodies of all Greeks”.

2. THE ANCIENT PENTATHLON
EXERCISE 1: Long jump The students perform two attempts. In their first attempt, they measure their
performance in meters (e.g. 1.34 m). In their second attempt, they measure their performance in
centimeters (e.g. 145 cm). They compare them and find which one is the best. They compare and they
understand different units of measurement.
EXERCISE 2: Javelin throwing The students throw the Javelin. They record their performance on
paper and they convert it, in compound numbers (e.g. 12,74 → 12 m, 7dm and 4cm). They make two
attempts and keep their best one, in decimal numbers (12,74m).
EXERCISE 3: Discus throwing The students throw the discus. They record their performance on paper
and they convert it, in compound numbers (e.g. 2,48 → 2 m, 4dm and 8cm). They make two attempts
and keep their best one, in decimal numbers (2,48m).

3. EXERCISE 4: Stadion race (short foot race) Students revive the stadion race. They use the stopwatch to
measure and record their performance time, in minutes and seconds. Students understand the
measurement of time and convert the results to seconds (e.g. 1min 12sec → 72 seconds).
EXERCISE 5: Wrestling The students perform a short representation of ancient wrestling. The match is
played in three rounds, of 15 seconds each, with a 5 seconds interval (1 minute, in total). The students
practice measuring time with a stopwatch.