[Discussion] Skill-Testing Registration Question

[Coyote]

Once out of High School, many folks don't have a need for even the higher concepts of common algebra taught at that level. Balancing the home accounts and once-a-year taxes is about all the demands mathematics makes on life. I know that I couldn't solve High School algebra problems now that I used to do with relative ease-- anything past the level of, say, long division just wasn't needed.

A word problem based in high-school algebra terms should be sufficient for 'bots and for those who just don't have a clue at all.

[Broomstick]

The quadratic equation was certainly mandatory when I went to school - I got it around age 13 or 14 if I recall correctly. Of course, that was about 30 years ago, Og knows what is and isn't required these days.

Haven't used it since college years, but it's not that difficult to resurrect the technique. If a math-cripple such as myself can figure it out, so should the average person. I'd say it's the upper limit of difficulty for the average stiff.

That, and wiki shows you how to do it.

I'm still voting for the word, problem, though.

[Publius]

Out of idle curiosity, how difficult would it be for a bot to understand a question with a specialized value? E.g., "What is 2+3, where each numeral in the equation represents the next largest whole number?" (i.e., What is 3+4?). Something along the lines of combining simple arithmetic and a "read the instructions" type puzzle.

[RedImperator]

Out of idle curiosity, how difficult would it be for a bot to understand a question with a specialized value? E.g., "What is 2+3, where each numeral in the equation represents the next largest whole number?" (i.e., What is 3+4?). Something along the lines of combining simple arithmetic and a "read the instructions" type puzzle.

I'm no AI expert, but it seems to me it would be well beyond their capabilities. This is fiendish; I like this.

[Darth Wong]

Out of idle curiosity, how difficult would it be for a bot to understand a question with a specialized value? E.g., "What is 2+3, where each numeral in the equation represents the next largest whole number?" (i.e., What is 3+4?). Something along the lines of combining simple arithmetic and a "read the instructions" type puzzle.

I'm no AI expert, but it seems to me it would be well beyond their capabilities. This is fiendish; I like this.

On the other hand, you don't want to cross the boundary into "trick question" territory, especially with a number of ESL people signing up. We ask that people make an honest effort to use proper English; we don't try to ban anyone who might get confused by tricky English wording.

[CmdrWilkens]

Simple word problem where the number is represented in word form not numerical form is probably the simplest yet most useful. it will sort out any bot that can do the math but not recognize the number value of the words while also allowing a prospective participant to demonstrate basic comprehension of english enough to quantify the problem.

[Darth Wong]

I'm leaning toward the redneck word problem. It's simple enough that I don't think anyone can have an excuse for not being able to solve it, but at the same time I believe it will confuse a spambot.

[Ghost Rider]

I'm leaning toward the redneck word problem. It's simple enough that I don't think anyone can have an excuse for not being able to solve it, but at the same time I believe it will confuse a spambot.

I like your redneck one. It requires basic math and reading skills to get through and is something that most spambots(both the programmed and human variety) won't break through easily.

[Coyote]

It's also a pretty good intro to the site's way of thinking!

[Ghost Rider]

It's also a pretty good intro to the site's way of thinking!

To be honest, I wish a great deal of this was retroactive. I know there's a new crop and old idiots who couldn't pass a simple question if a gun was to their head.

[Imperial Overlord]

I love the redneck problem.

[Gil Hamilton]

My problem with the redneck question is that you can't answer "He doesn't make it 'cause them Hazzard boys done hit 'em with the Gen'ral Lee 'round Margos place."

[RedImperator]

If we wanted to have more than one question, we could have a lot of fun. Make a contest or something with a new question every month. Here's one:

"The Bridge to Nowhere is 2500 meters long. A rape kit comes in a box 30 centimeters long and costs $300. If the Bridge to Nowhere were built entirely out of rape kits laid end to end, how much would it cost? Round your answer to the nearest dollar."

[Broomstick]

Hm.... but is it too US-centric for a Canuck-owned board?

[Imperial Overlord]

Hm.... but is it too US-centric for a Canuck-owned board?

No. American politics is a spectator sport in Canada.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Hm.... but is it too US-centric for a Canuck-owned board?

No. American politics is a spectator sport in Canada.

A more accurate analogy would be that Canada is the house behind the driving range that is America, which has a safety net that's falling apart, so every time the Americans are out shooting practice balls you're nervously hoping it doesn't slam into grandma during the family BBQ.

[Imperial Overlord]

A proposal from a plebe:

About the skill-test question, if it is not just to keep bots out, a question requiring logic would be better than one requiring math, no?
So, how about one of them fancy questions:

Consider the following: At least one male is younger than Sarah. Barack is older than John. Joe is older than Sarah. Sarah is younger than Barack.
Of Barack, John, Sarah and Joe, who is oldest?
A) Barack
B) John
C) Sarah
D) Joe
E) There is not enough information to answer the question

(of course, there is a point in that the information given does not reflect reality)

[Darth Wong]

That question takes up too much screen real estate.

[Beowulf]

Also, that question is far too easy to pass by random guessing.

[Darth Wong]

Multiple-choice questions are a pretty bad idea all-around, especially with a registration system that gives you three tries.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

I'd say go with the Redneck question and say that's that.. No reason to update it more than semi-annually or even just annually.

[CmdrWilkens]

Can I also state that I hate any question where the correct answer is "not enough information"

[The Yosemite Bear]

still wondering when I'm going to get booted since I can't do advanced maths for shit, beyond simple probability, very basic calcalus I'm lost. hell most of my arguements are using simple socratic or Oakham reasoning skills.

[Ender]

(e^x)'=?

[Knife]

Meh. I can sympathize with Wong wanting to ax the bots. However, all the suggestions above seem to suck for one reason or another. While I understand quadratic formula, most normal ie: non math oriented people won't. Make too much of a word problem and it becomes a puzzle where some people suck.

Is a paid registration for a 'free' email server just not doing it?