As stated previously, stopwatches introduced a large degree of random error and a number of uncontrolled variables. Using time gates to record the instantaneous velocity at the start of the table top would eliminate most of these variables, including friction. Therefore it would be advantageous to use time gates rather than stopwatches. The distances on the inclined plane (s1 = 1.5 m) and on the table top (s2 = 4.0 m) were chosen to reduce the margin of error. By lengthening these distances, the effect of friction was greater; however this effect is relatively small. Shorter distances would have resulted in larger margins of error; therefore it was advantageous to have greater distances between the inclined plane and the table top. As a result of this study, the relationship between the horizontal velocity of a ball and the angle of the downward inclined plane is known. Therefore maximizing horizontal speed on a ramp is as simple as theory. This has many practical applications, such as bowling ramps and bicycle jumps, where the highest possible horizontal speed is required.