JMAT_V1_N4_A3 Diana Cheng Journal on Mathematics 2277-5137 1 4 12 17 Mathematical Modeling, Decimals, Averages The International Skating Union implemented a new judging system, the International Judging System (IJS), after it was revealed that the previously used 6.0 judging system accommodated for judging bias in figure skating events at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The 6.0 judging system required judges to rank figure skaters’ placements in an event relative to the other competitors; a controversy arose in the pairs event at the Olympic Games when it became clear that some of the judges were persuaded to influence the outcome irrespective of the actual performances of the skaters. The new IJS now requires judges to rate each element performed by each skater, without comparison to other skaters’ performances, in an effort to reduce judging bias. The judges’ ratings are then averaged and a decimal score is accordingly assigned for each element. The skaters earn a technical score, computed by finding the sum of the element scores. In this article, the IJS is explained as an application of mathematics, and a skating judging activity suitable for middle grades students is presented. The activity involves students’ rating a pairs team’s performance and computing the team’s score through a simplified version of the IJS. October - December 2012 Copyright © 2012 i-manager publications. All rights reserved. i-manager Publications http://www.imanagerpublications.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=2045