Maths in music, art and sport · Solid · Dissertation

Fair targets in rain-hit cricket: a maths EPQ idea

Why it works as an EPQ

A resources model built from exponential curves, used in real matches, with a fairness question to answer.

Scope and difficulty

Solid. Solid. Understand the original model; test fairness on published results.

The maths

Builds on these A Level topics: Exponentials and logarithms · Sampling and data.

You would learn:

• Resource curves
• Exponential decay models
• Fairness measures

Learning maths beyond the course is expected in a maths EPQ, but you must understand and explain everything you use.

One possible plan

1. Explain the idea of resources (overs and wickets).
2. Rebuild a simple version of the model.
3. Test on published matches whether the team batting second wins too often.
4. Judge its fairness.

Pitfalls

• Using the professional tables without explaining them.
• Too few matches.

Where to start reading

• Search for: Duckworth Lewis method resources model exponential
• ESPNcricinfo match records

Prefer books, lecture notes, journal articles and official data to a single website, and record every source as you read (how to reference).

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All maths in music, art and sport ideas · all 93 ideas

Your EPQ must be your own work. These pages coach: ideas, structure, checklists and planning. Submitting text, proofs, code or analysis written by someone else or by an AI tool as your own is malpractice. How to use help and AI honestly.