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Shaquille O'Neal Hand/Foot Span: Student Worksheet

Name: ____________________________________

Shaquille O'Neal, a basketball player in the NBA, is a very large person. He wears a size 20 shoe. Using ratios, you can find Shaq's hand span and make comparisons to your own hand span.

Students work in groups and individually.

  • 1 metric ruler
  • Graph paper
  • Pictures of Shaq's shoe size and hand span

  1. Measure the foot length and hand span of 10 students. Record your data in the table below.

    Student Name
    Foot Length
    Hand Span
    Ratio (F/H)
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
    Average      
    Shaquille O’Neal
    41 cm
       

  2. Using the average ratios of foot length to hand span, calculate the hand span of Shaquille O'Neal.
  3. Using graph paper, graph the foot length and hand span information from your table.
  4. Extend the axis for foot length to include Shaquille O'Neal's 41 cm foot.
  5. Draw a line of best fit for the graphed data.
  6. Locate the foot length and corresponding hand span for Shaquille O'Neal on the line.

As a result of this activity, students will learn how to collect, graph, and extrapolate data.

Students can extend this activity by using a graphing calculator or a computer spreadsheet program. The student can use both ways to graph and then make predictions about the size of Shaq's hand span.

Math Portal Home > Middle School Lesson Plans > Shaquille O'Neal Hand/Foot Span: Student Worksheet