Mon, 26 Sep 2011, 09:34

Regarding the scoreboard at the football game, a student writes:

> Dear Professor Patt,
> 
> I have a question about question 1 on problem set 3.
> 
> When it comes to section 5, in regards to the yard line, should we be multiplying (50)*(50) *(1) or should it be (50)*(51) or (50) + (50)  + 1? 
> 
> Specifically, my group and I are not sure how we should be counting 
> the last 50.
> Regards,
> <<name withheld to protect the student group who seem unaware of football>> 

I made up this problem because I thought it would be fun, but perhaps it is
problematic for a group where no one in the group has ever seen a football
scoreboard.  Each of the seven items represents values one would see on a
scoreboard at a football game.  Number 5 is yardline.  There are 101 values
for the yardline.
  
If your group does know football, and you are asking the above question,
then you have a serious misunderstanding of the notion of state.  Please
see a TA today, and get that straightened out.  In particular, please explain
to the TA what made you think "(50)*(50)*(1)" or "(50)*(51)" was the number
of values.

Understanding the American game of football is not a prereq for EE306, and
I do not want anyone feeling anxiety over this.  So, I have simply answered
the question about yard line.  If no one in your group understands the 
American game of football, simply write that on the problem set and you will
lose no points for that problem.

Good luck on the exam.
Yale Patt