As the graph indicates, the logistic fit, linear regression and actual times for the 100 m male sprint. It would have to been interesting to follow the linear regression line and see if "theoretically" men can ever run a 0 sec 100 meter. I also wonder if Oscar Pistorius, the man with metal prosthetic limbs, can ever take us south of the limit 9.48 sec?
Graphs! I love it! As a math major though, I have to say while the linear regression may be an interesting model to look at, it certainly isn't an appropriate model. Even the logistic fit is significantly under the pre-1917 times. There is a limit to how fast someone can run. It may be .001 seconds, but it certainly isn't 0 :-)
ReplyDeleteHaha, and this didn't include usain bolts most recent time, I realized this has the WR at 9.78 and he ran 9.69 only .1 off the limit!
ReplyDelete.2 off the limit, right? He's certainly redefining things... And another math comment, I don't know why statisticians say "logistic" and not "logarithmic" :-)
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