Abstract
Figure skating is filled with mathematically rich opportunities. Performing figure skating can be viewed as both an art form and a physically challenging endeavor. Competitive skaters continually seek to improve their skating skills and the scores that they receive for their performances. This chapter describes how knowledge of various facets of mathematics can be useful in helping them achieve these goals. Facets of figure skating that are described mathematically include: skaters’ blade tracings formed on the ice, skaters’ movements as they can be described using geometric transformations, pattern dances’ quantitative features such as musical tempi and step rates, and biomechanical research applying physical principles governing skating spins and jumps. The International Judging System used to score skating in individual events and the team event is explained. Shortfalls of the judging system, such as judging biases that have occurred in past competitive events, are described. Finally, mathematical analyses that can be used to consider aspects of the figure skating team event that was conducted at the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Winter Games are provided.
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Cheng, D. (2019). Breaking the Ice: Figure Skating. In: Sriraman, B. (eds) Handbook of the Mathematics of the Arts and Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70658-0_51-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70658-0_51-1
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