Re: Simple Machines B/Compound Machines C
Posted: December 8th, 2014, 4:28 pm
Yes we did;)joeyjoejoe wrote: We figured that the event creators probably designed the event this way
Science Olympiad Student Center
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Yes we did;)joeyjoejoe wrote: We figured that the event creators probably designed the event this way
Ah, figured it out. Nice findjoeyjoejoe wrote:This seemed better but it has a major flaw! I wont tell what it is though. Just throw some examples into the equations and remember: we have no way of knowing exactly how much the masses weigh and many will have trouble determining which mass is heaviest - especially when they are very close.
Unfortunately no one can answer this question except for maybe chalker. You should submit a rules clarification. B = B because each of the masses are labeled and the labels won't change when you're changing your answer, but for the format of the answers you should submit a rules clarification.hscmom wrote:So, now that we've got our (basic) lever made, help me understand the rules. The students are given masses A, B and C, but nowhere it says that A <= B <= C. So, you could have B being the heaviest, C the lightest, and A in the middle (or any other combination, including A = B = C). The answer is supposed to be A/B and B/C. And am I correct in that B = B in both of those. Let's just assume the masses are 600 grams, 550 grams, and 720 grams. Then, the students could give the ratios as 60/55 and 55/72, right? do they have to simplify 55/60 to 11/12? Do they have to make A = 1?
I just want to make sure I'm teaching them right how to report their findings AND make sure I am not introducing extra, time-consuming steps. I want them to get to the first acceptable answer and have the timer stop.
Thanks
I don't really understand the middle parts, but for how to write the ratios I've just decided to ask the proctor at every competition I go to.chinesesushi wrote:Unfortunately no one can answer this question except for maybe chalker. You should submit a rules clarification. B = B because each of the masses are labeled and the labels won't change when you're changing your answer, but for the format of the answers you should submit a rules clarification.hscmom wrote:So, now that we've got our (basic) lever made, help me understand the rules. The students are given masses A, B and C, but nowhere it says that A <= B <= C. So, you could have B being the heaviest, C the lightest, and A in the middle (or any other combination, including A = B = C). The answer is supposed to be A/B and B/C. And am I correct in that B = B in both of those. Let's just assume the masses are 600 grams, 550 grams, and 720 grams. Then, the students could give the ratios as 60/55 and 55/72, right? do they have to simplify 55/60 to 11/12? Do they have to make A = 1?
I just want to make sure I'm teaching them right how to report their findings AND make sure I am not introducing extra, time-consuming steps. I want them to get to the first acceptable answer and have the timer stop.
Thanks
hscmom wrote:So, now that we've got our (basic) lever made, help me understand the rules. The students are given masses A, B and C, but nowhere it says that A <= B <= C. So, you could have B being the heaviest, C the lightest, and A in the middle (or any other combination, including A = B = C). The answer is supposed to be A/B and B/C. And am I correct in that B = B in both of those. Let's just assume the masses are 600 grams, 550 grams, and 720 grams. Then, the students could give the ratios as 60/55 and 55/72, right? do they have to simplify 55/60 to 11/12? Do they have to make A = 1?
I believe the significant digits rules only pertains to the written section, because that's the only place requirement is listed. Being as such, the way the scoring works it looks like it does not matter whether or not you include significant digits; however, I suggest submitting a rules clarification or asking the event supervisor at the competition what they desire about whether or not they want you to factor in significant figures in the answers for the ratio.retired1 wrote:Would not the 0.7638 violate the significant digits?
Rule 5d. prohibits that. "...or those that do not make an honest attempt to utilize a compound lever to determine the mass ratios receive R1 & R2 & TS of 0.joeyjoejoe wrote:I just noticed that nowhere in the rules does it state where on the beams you are required to place the weights. What's to prevent someone from bringing their Class1/Class 2 combo to impound yet only utilizing the class one lever for the event? This would seem much easier to accomplish. Would this be a violation of the "spirit of the problem" mentioned in the general rules section?
Also note that in Part 2, your score is based upon how close you are to the correct answer. Thus even if you add in random extra digits, the event supervisor already has a good way to 'penalize' you for not getting the correct answer - there is no mechanism to completely dq your answer just because you didn't follow sig fig rules in your calculations.chinesesushi wrote:I believe the significant digits rules only pertains to the written section, because that's the only place requirement is listed. Being as such, the way the scoring works it looks like it does not matter whether or not you include significant digits; however, I suggest submitting a rules clarification or asking the event supervisor at the competition what they desire about whether or not they want you to factor in significant figures in the answers for the ratio.retired1 wrote:Would not the 0.7638 violate the significant digits?