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Math,

Perfect Ice

Meet an ice master who makes the best ice for each winter sport

By Briana Abbott
From the December 2020/January 2021 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will use the standard algorithm to multiply a fraction by a whole number related to the layers of ice used for winter sports rinks.

Lexile: 930L; 750L
Focus Area: Fractions and Decimals,
Standards
  • MATHEMATICAL PRACTICES: MP2, MP3, MP6 CCSS: 5.NF.B.4 TEKS: 5.3I

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Lexile® measure

  • 930L
  • 750L
maintains

Keeps in good condition
rink

A smooth space of ice created for skating, especially as an area in which to play skating sports such as hockey
purified

Cleaned of any unwanted elements such as dirt or minerals
expression

A mathematical phrase that can include numbers, symbols, and/or operators

Example: 7 - 6 is an expression
numerators

The top parts of fractions. Numerators tell us how many equal parts of the whole you have.

Example: If an apple is cut into four equal slices, and you eat one, the numerator for how many slices are eaten is 1, because it is one out of the four pieces that make up the whole apple.
standard algorithm

An algorithm is a series of steps that lead to the solution of a problem. The standard algorithm typically means a traditional problem solving based on decomposing numbers by place value.
friction

Resistance to movement caused when two surfaces rub together
fraction

A number that stands for part of a whole. Fractions are typically written in the form “1/8.” This fraction is pronounced “one-eighth.”

Example: If an apple is cut into 4 equal slices, and you eat one slice, you have eaten 1/4 of an apple.
uniform

Consistent and equal
improper fraction

A fraction in which the numerator is greater than the denominator
repeated addition

Adding the same number to itself multiple times. Multiplication is repeated addition.
countless

Very many
complex

Difficult to solve or complete, with many connected parts
denominators

The bottom parts of fractions. Denominators tell us the total number of equal pieces or things.

Example: If an apple is cut into four equal slices, the denominator is 4, because four pieces make up the whole apple.
dash

To break or destroy
slick

Having a smooth, slippery surface

Every detail counts when you’re competing for Olympic gold. Slick ice can lead to records being set or broken, but a bump in the wrong place could dash dreams. That’s where the “ice masters” come in.

Ice masters are the experts in charge of making the ice for sports like hockey, figure skating, and speed skating. The process is more complex than filling a rink with water and letting it freeze. 

“It’s more of a science than most people think,” says Mark Messer. He’s the ice master who maintains the speed skating rink at the University of Calgary in Canada. He’s helped create the ice at seven Winter Olympics and for countless races and hockey games. More than 300 world records have been set on his ice!

Every detail counts when you’re competing for Olympic gold. Slick ice can help athletes set or break records. But a bump in the wrong place could dash dreams. That’s where the “ice masters” come in.

Ice masters are the experts in charge of making the ice for winter sports. These sports include hockey, figure skating, and speed skating. The process is more complex than filling a rink with water and letting it freeze.

“It’s more of a science than most people think,” says Mark Messer. Messer is an ice master. He maintains the speed skating rink at the University of Calgary in Canada. He’s helped create the ice at seven Winter Olympics. He’s also created ice for countless races and hockey games. More than 300 world records have been set on his ice!

Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Mark Messer with a special machine that cleans and smooths the ice

Freeze Up

The ice-making process starts with an oval-shaped cement floor that’s chilled to below freezing. Messer and his team spray a thin layer of purified water on the cement. The water freezes into a slick coating of ice. They repeat the process to make ice layers. The team is careful to make sure no air or minerals end up in between each layer. Air bubbles make the ice weak and more likely to crack. Minerals make it harder for skaters to glide.

They keep adding layers until the ice is roughly 1 inch thick. Skaters test the ice to see how fast it feels. But Messer can tell if the ice is fast by how it looks.

The ice-making process starts with a cement floor shaped like an oval. The floor is chilled to below freezing. Messer and his team spray a thin layer of purified water on the cement. The water freezes. It creates a slick coating of ice. Messer and his team repeat the process to make ice layers. The team is careful to make sure no air or minerals end up in between each layer. Air bubbles make the ice weak. Weak ice is more likely to crack. Minerals make it harder for skaters to glide.

The team keeps adding layers until the ice is roughly 1 inch thick. Skaters test the ice to see how fast it feels. But Messer can tell if the ice is fast by how it looks.

B.Stefanov/Shutterstock.com

Speed skating ice must be very cold and slick for easy gliding.

The Right Ice

Different sports need different ice conditions, says Messer. Ice hardness, temperature, and texture vary for each sport.

Long-distance speed skating uses the coldest and thinnest ice. This allows racers’ skates to glide with little friction. 

Hockey players need slightly warmer and thicker ice, so they can dig their skates into the surface to make sharp turns.

Different sports need different ice conditions, says Messer. Ice hardness is different for each sport. Temperature and texture vary for each sport too.

Long-distance speed skating uses the coldest and thinnest ice. This type of ice allows racers’ skates to glide with little friction.

Hockey players need slightly warmer and thicker ice. This type of ice allows hockey players to dig their skates into the surface. This helps them make sharp turns.

Kyodo/AP Images

Figure skating ice must be warm enough for skaters to dig in their blades to push off. 

Figure skaters need even warmer ice, so they can dig in for jumps without slipping.

For curling, a sport where people slide a heavy stone across the ice, ice pebbles are thrown on the rink between rounds. This creates a thin layer of water on top that helps the curling stone slide. 

No matter what sport he’s working with, Messer loves being around athletes at the top of their game. “The energy in the building is so high,” he says.

Figure skaters need even warmer ice. They need to dig into the ice for jumps without slipping.

Curling is a sport where people slide a heavy stone across the ice. Ice pebbles are thrown on the rink between rounds for this sport. This creates a thin layer of water on top. The water helps the curling stone slide.

Messer loves being around top athletes no matter the sport. “The energy in the building is so high,” he says.

Math Talk

Why is it important for ice masters to keep track of the number of ice layers and their thickness? 

Math Talk

Why is it important for ice masters to keep track of the number of ice layers and their thickness? 

Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images (Hockey); JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images (Curling)

Hockey ice must be thick so players can make sharp turns. Curling ice includes icy pebbles on the frozen surface to help the stone slide.

Multiplying Fractions

What to Do

Ice masters spray water in uniform layers that are a fraction of an inch thick. They can multiply layers to find the right thickness of ice for each sport. You can use the standard algorithm and its connection to repeated addition to multiply whole numbers by fractions. 

Example

Multiply 10 by 2/5

Write the problem as an expression. Identify the whole and the units of the fraction.

One way to think about this problem is to connect the multiplication expression to repeated addition. We’re taking 10 two-fifths and adding them together.

Or, we can use the standard algorithm. Rewrite your whole number as a fraction. Then multiply your numerators and then your denominators. 

This improper fraction simplifies to 4. We can also read it like the division expression 20 divided by 5. 

So, 10 × 2/5 = 4 

Multiplying Fractions

What to Do

Ice masters spray water in uniform layers that are a fraction of an inch thick. They can multiply layers to find the right thickness of ice for each sport. You can use the standard algorithm and its connection to repeated addition to multiply whole numbers by fractions. 

Example

Multiply 10 by 2/5

Write the problem as an expression. Identify the whole and the units of the fraction.

One way to think about this problem is to connect the multiplication expression to repeated addition. We’re taking 10 two-fifths and adding them together.

Or, we can use the standard algorithm. Rewrite your whole number as a fraction. Then multiply your numerators and then your denominators. 

This improper fraction simplifies to 4. We can also read it like the division expression 20 divided by 5. 

So, 10 × 2/5 = 4 

Now You Try It

Use your knowledge of multiplying fractions to answer the questions below.

Use your knowledge of multiplying fractions to answer the questions below.

Messer needs to create 20 layers of ice for the thickest ice used by figure skaters. Each layer is roughly 1/10 of an inch thick. What is the total thickness of this ice?

Messer needs to create 20 layers of ice for the thickest ice used by figure skaters. Each layer is roughly 1/10 of an inch thick. What is the total thickness of this ice?

A. Long-distance speed skating ice is made of 16 layers. Each layer is 1/16 of an inch thick. How thick is this speed-skating ice? 

B. After making the first 4 layers, Messer and his team stop to paint the ice with white water-based paint. That’s why rinks look so snowy! How thick is the ice beneath the paint?

A. Long-distance speed skating ice is made of 16 layers. Each layer is 1/16 of an inch thick. How thick is this speed-skating ice? 

B. After making the first 4 layers, Messer and his team stop to paint the ice with white water-based paint. That’s why rinks look so snowy! How thick is the ice beneath the paint?

An ice resurfacer is a machine used to clean and smooth an ice rink. The machine scrapes a top layer of ice off the surface and sprays water that freezes into a new layer. During every cleaning, an ice resurfacer scrapes off 1/4 inch of ice. How much ice does it replace after cleaning 6 times?

An ice resurfacer is a machine used to clean and smooth an ice rink. The machine scrapes a top layer of ice off the surface and sprays water that freezes into a new layer. During every cleaning, an ice resurfacer scrapes off 1/4 inch of ice. How much ice does it replace after cleaning 6 times?

For hockey, Messer makes each ice layer 5/64 of an inch thick. He sprays on 16 layers. How thick is hockey ice?

For hockey, Messer makes each ice layer 5/64 of an inch thick. He sprays on 16 layers. How thick is hockey ice?

Continue Your Learning

  • Ask a family member to write down three whole numbers between 1 and 100. Choose one number to be your numerator, one to be your denominator, and one to remain a whole number. Then multiply your fraction by your whole number. Repeat at least 3 times.
  • Watch the video “When Water Freezes” (above). Create a list of activities that you can do with frozen water. Then choose your favorite. Write a paragraph explaining what you enjoy about it.

Continue Your Learning

  • Ask a family member to write down three whole numbers between 1 and 100. Choose one number to be your numerator, one to be your denominator, and one to remain a whole number. Then multiply your fraction by your whole number. Repeat at least 3 times.
  • Watch the video “When Water Freezes” (above). Create a list of activities that you can do with frozen water. Then choose your favorite. Write a paragraph explaining what you enjoy about it.
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