Difference between revisions of "Computational math"

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'''Computational math''' questions ask players to solve a given mathematics problem instead of identifying a conceptual answer from verbal clues. Computational math is also used to describe science questions which require using a scientific law or formula to get a numerical answer, because the term "computational science" just isn't as catchy.
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<onlyinclude>'''Computational math''' (or '''comp math''') is a type of [[math]] [[question]] which asks [[players]] to solve a mathematics problem instead of identifying a conceptual answer from verbal clues. These questions are also referred to as "'''pencil and paper ready'''" questions, as all [[NAQT]] computation questions begin with that phrase - however, this term can also refer to questions which require players to write down a list, or [[science]] questions that require use of a scientific law, formula, or other computation to get a numerical answer.
  
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All [[NAQT]] computation questions begin with the memorable phrase "'''Pencil and paper ready.'''", although the phrase occasionally appears on other subjects and serves to warn players to write down a list.
+
Comp math can be considered the counterpart of "theoretical math".</onlyinclude>
  
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Non-computational questions on mathematics topics, such as the ones in [http://www.hsquizbowl.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=13768&p=262646 this thread], are often called "[[Math|theoretical math]]".
+
==Theory==
 +
Most of the objection to computational math comes from the use of computational [[tossups]], which are inherently [[non-pyramidal]]. This is because there is only a single problem being described by a tossup - the bulk of question consists of simpler rephrasings or hints on the methods required, rather than [[clues]]. This objection has largely prevailed over arguments for computation - for a more in-depth look at arguments for and against comp math, see the "Historical" section below.
  
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==Computational Math in the High School Game==
+
Computation [[bonus]]es have survived longer in "[[good quizbowl]]" sets such as the [[VHSL]] sets produced by [[HSAPQ]] and [[NAQT]], as well as the [[HSNCT]]. In general, though, most sets with a national audience have abandoned computation bonuses simply because it is difficult to solve any non-trivial math problem in 5 or fewer seconds and giving teams more time often delays the game.
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The amount of computational math in the high school game varies significantly from format to format and from state to state. In some formats and states, such as the [[MSHSAA]] state series, computational math can take up to 20-25% of the entire distribution.  
 
  
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The general trend has been a steady decline in the prevalence of computational math in [[good]] quizbowl circuits from the mid-2000s to the present. Almost every high school [[housewrite]] has abandoned the writing of computational math questions, and neither [[HSAPQ]] nor [[PACE]] includes any computation questions in their tournament sets. [[NAQT]] is the sole national question vendor which still sells sets containing computational math tossups, but individual hosts of NAQT sets may choose to skip over the computational questions at their own tournaments.  
+
==Status in modern quiz bowl==
 +
===College===
 +
Computational math is effectively non-existent in college quiz bowl. There are no computational tossups of any kind in any set. There are occasional "pencil and paper ready" science bonuses in both [[NAQT]] and [[housewrites]] which require some level of calculation to answer correctly, but this is the extent of computational questions.
  
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This state of affairs means that many of the country's best teams, presuming they do not play a less-advanced state format involving computation, can play an entire year's worth of [[tournament]]s before nationals without ever lifting a pencil to solve a computation problem within a quizbowl match. The [[HSNCT]] still uses computation bonuses at the rate of about 1 such bonus per game, after eliminating computation tossups from [[2010 HSNCT|2010]] forward; the move came after surveying attending teams about their preferences for several years [http://www.hsquizbowl.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8109]. The [[PACE]] [[NSC]] featured a computation bonus in its [[Old PACE format|Category Quiz]] round until 2010, when the new format eliminated the last computation from the championship. Therefore, it is eminently possible for the best high school team in the country to become a legitimate national champion without focusing on computational math at all.
+
===High school===
 +
The amount of computational math in the high school game varies significantly from format to format and from state to state. The majority of states which participate in "[[good quizbowl]]" do not have any comp math, the culmination of a steady decline in its popularity that started in the mid-2000s. This means that top teams which do not participate in a state format can go the entire season without playing a computational question.
  
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Most of the objection to computational math comes from the use of computational *tossups*, which are inherently non-[[pyramidal]] (all of the text in the question is effectively describing the same single math problem even if there are multiple lines of [[clue]]s rephrasing it or giving hints). This objection (and others, such as the argument that computational math tossups are uniquely unable to teach players something new, and the truth that top math competitors often lose out on computation questions due to lack of buzzer [[speed]]) has largely prevailed over arguments for computation (e.g. "students compute a lot in school, so they ought to in quizbowl as well"). Computation bonuses have survived longer in ostensibly-good quizbowl sets such as [[HSAPQ]]'s [[VHSL]] sets and [[HSNCT]], though most other sets with a national audience have abandoned computation bonuses too, for the reason that it is difficult to solve any non-trivial math problem in 5 or fewer seconds and giving teams more time often delays the game.
+
Almost every high school housewrite has zero computational math. [[PACE]] does not include any computation questions in their tournament sets and [[HSAPQ]] (while it was still extant) did not either. [[NAQT]] is the sole national question vendor which still sells sets containing computational math tossups, but individual [[hosts]] of NAQT sets may choose to skip over the computational questions at their own tournaments.
  
−
The role computational math should play in high school quizbowl has been one of the most hotly debated subjects in the history of the [[hsquizbowl.org forums|Quizbowl Resource Center forums]]. However, a growing consensus of players, teachers, and coaches across state lines have solidified in their opposition to math computation questions, a growing trend which has preceded and driven its decline in nationally-oriented formats and tournament sets. Largely, computational math is controversial in formats that have it, while formats that do not have it are happy not to have it.
+
The [[HSNCT]] still uses computation bonuses at the rate of about 1 such bonus per game - computation tossups were eliminated from [[2010 HSNCT|2010]] forward based on several years of surveys given to attending teams about their preferences.<ref>[http://www.hsquizbowl.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8109 Computation questions and the 2010 HSNCT] by [[Important Bird Area]] » Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:22 pm</ref> The [[Old PACE format]] for [[NSC]] featured a computation bonus in its "Category Quiz" round until it was phased out in 2010. Therefore, it is eminently possible for the best high school team in the country to become a legitimate national champion without focusing on computational math at all.
  
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Because legitimate arguments for the existence of computational math tossups have almost entirely faltered, their proponents often use various forms of [[avoision]] to argue for them. A common argument for these tossups accuses those who oppose computational math of being unable to do math. The presence of many math majors, math teachers, and former Mathcounts competitors among the [[good quizbowl]] proponents explaining why calculation tossups are illegitimate does nothing to dissuade this argument.
+
====State formats====
 +
Many state formats still have significant amounts of comp math. Until 2022, computation comprised up to 20-25% of the entire distribution of the [[MSHSAA]] state series; it has since been lowered to NAQT's standard 1 tossup and bonus per packet. [[VHSL]] also retains computational math.
  
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===Arguments Against Computational Math===
+
Historically, the [[IHSA]] state series used math questions that were almost exclusively computational. That coupled with occasional computational science questions meant that over 20 percent of all questions were computational. Pressure to adhere to quizbowl standards caused the IHSA to agree to include at least one non-computational math tossup per round (out of the 4 math tossups in each round). Controversy arose in 2012 during a match at the IHSA State Finals between [[IMSA]] and [[Auburn]] when moderator [[Tom Egan]] noted that the packet in use did not meet the set’s Terms and Conditions because all its math tossups were computational. The head editor, Sister John Baricevic, acknowledged the mistake but had no recourse since all the replacement math tossups were also computational. In 2016, [[Noah Prince]] served as the math editor for the [[IHSA]] and wrote the first state series without computational math tossups. That practice has continued since 2018 under the head editorship of [[Brad Fischer]].
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*Computational math requires an additional skill beyond the simple recall of facts and association of facts with an answer; therefore computational math is not quizbowl and does not belong in quizbowl.
+
 
 +
==Historical status==
 +
{{right quote box|{{qq|4) PENCIL AND PAPER READY. [[Yi Sun]] wants to calculate how to make computational questions compatible with good quizbowl.
 +
He starts by making 13 posts in the "An Open Letter to NAQT" thread about the Alexander-Leftchetz duality, but loses 40% of his argument's validity by agreeing with [[Brad Fischer]].
 +
Reaching a dead end, he convinces [[Tom Egan]] to make X7 edits to the Computational Math page on the qbwiki, where x represents the [[Doug O'Neal|O'Neal]]s Handwave index calculated to the nearest [[Watson Ladd]] integral.
 +
Still not finding a satisfactory answer, Yi studies the 30 canonical types of NAQT math problems for 6 hours, applying a Fourier Transform to the 425 character limit, printing out the result, and accidentally using the paper in place of a substituted alkene while performing a Diels-Alder reaction for his orgo class.
 +
The subsequent explosion kills him so he is not able to finish the problem.
 +
For no points, give a funeral oration which explains for Yi why computational math questions make good quizbowl.
 +
 
 +
ANSWER: There is no acceptable answer to this question (i.e. there is no way for teams to earn points on
 +
this question. Still deduct points if a team negs (credit this on tossup 26 on the scoresheet))
 +
 
 +
-2008 [[Gunpei Yokoi Memorial Open]]
 +
}}}}
 +
The role computational math should play in high school quizbowl has been one of the most hotly debated subjects in the history of the [[hsquizbowl.org forums|Quizbowl Resource Center forums]]. Eventually, the growing consensus of players, teachers, and [[coaches]] across state lines solidified in their opposition to math computation questions, driving its decline in nationally-oriented formats and tournament sets. Computational math is often controversial in formats that do have it, while it is rarely missed in those that do not.
 +
 
 +
There are not many legitimate arguments for the existence of computational math tossups. A common tactic of proponents is to employ various forms of [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/avoision avoision]: the most common such argument is to accuse those who oppose computational math of being unable to do math. The presence of many math majors, math teachers, and former Mathcounts competitors explaining why calculation tossups are illegitimate does nothing to dissuade this argument.
 +
 
 +
Here are some major arguments that have been advanced in favor of computational math, with associated rebuttals:
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
!Argument For
 +
!Argument Against
 +
|-
 +
|Because quizbowl is [[back to the classroom|a reflection of what is learned in school]] and computational math is an important part of that education, it should be included.
 +
|Other quizbowl subjects that appear in the classroom like history or chemistry are written to focus on important concepts and deemphasize [[trivia]] like dates or specific atomic weights. Removing computation from the math distribution is a consistent application of these principles.
 +
|-
 +
|It is not feasible to write enough good questions to fill the need for math questions without relying on computational questions.
 +
|
 +
*It being difficult to produce quality questions is not sufficient argument - the use of good, pyramidal questions is better than the use of bad, [[apyramidal]] questions.
 +
*There is no reason that there would have to be the same number of math questions after removing computation. In formats without computation, math is given a smaller portion of the [[distribution]] as part of [[other science]] and there are no problems creating enough good questions to fill it. Even sets with higher fractions of math like [[Scobol Solo]] have not run into issues.<ref>[http://www.hsquizbowl.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=13768&p=262646 40 Maths] by [[Stained Diviner]] » Mon Nov 12, 2012 5:28 am</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|Quizbowl can be defined it as an activity that, on a certain minority of questions, includes computation, rather than one that does not.
 +
|Quizbowl is typically defined as an activity which tests knowledge. Further, "good quizbowl" is defined as quizbowl that preferentially rewards knowledge over other skills. Because computational math requires an additional skill beyond the simple recall of facts and association of facts with an answer, it is not "good quizbowl".
 +
|-
 +
|Any relevant topic with a single answer that can be quickly judged as "right" or "wrong" can be used in quizbowl - this is true of computational math.
 +
|The principle underlying pyramidality is that questions should be able to distinguish between players based on their knowledge of a subject. It is not sufficient for a topic to have an answer which can be ruled correct or incorrect to be considered "good quizbowl" (or even quizbowl).
 +
|-
 +
|Computational speed is not the only deciding factor for who answers a computational problem first (assuming they are well written); recall of algorithms and equations also matters and is a form of [[knowledge]].
 +
|
 
*Computational math questions rely on a set of memorized "tricks" for answering certain kinds of problems instead of a unique association between a set of clues and its answer; therefore computational math is not quizbowl and does not belong in quizbowl.
 
*Computational math questions rely on a set of memorized "tricks" for answering certain kinds of problems instead of a unique association between a set of clues and its answer; therefore computational math is not quizbowl and does not belong in quizbowl.
−
*[[Pyramidal]] computation tossups are far more difficult to write, and in the opinion of some are impossible to write; therefore at best computational math is [[bad quizbowl]].
 
−
*[[Clues]] in computation questions cannot stand alone; therefore at best computational math is [[bad quizbowl]].
 
−
*The [[canon]] of askable computation questions is too small in most formats to adequately differentiate between teams of roughly similar skill levels, and has already expanded to near its maximum; therefore at best computational math is [[bad quizbowl]].
 
 
*Even if it were more universally accepted that answering a computational question is based upon the ability to recall an algorithm, and that it is expedient to give the solution to the problem, rather than the algorithm itself, it is undeniable that computation speed can be considered a factor in the speed at which the question is answered.  This creates a situation where questions involving computational math become "different" from other questions, and thus may not be appropriate.
 
*Even if it were more universally accepted that answering a computational question is based upon the ability to recall an algorithm, and that it is expedient to give the solution to the problem, rather than the algorithm itself, it is undeniable that computation speed can be considered a factor in the speed at which the question is answered.  This creates a situation where questions involving computational math become "different" from other questions, and thus may not be appropriate.
−
*Because teams that are very strong in Computational Math can completely dominate the category, it can play a major role in deciding matches even when it is a small part of the distribution.
+
|-
−
*Most people who understand both [[good quizbowl]] and math, including math majors and math teachers, oppose computational math and would like to see more questions on math theory instead.
+
|Giving the answer to a specific computation is less cumbersome than asking for the algorithm or formula used to compute it.
−
 
+
|This is only true in some sitatuations - there are many ways to write questions asking for algorithms, formulas, or the concepts that underpin them which are no more cumbersome than answering with a number, and which do not require computation.
−
===Arguments in Favor of Computational Math===
+
|-
−
*Computational math is an important part of a high school education. High school quizbowl should be seen as a reflection of what is learned in a high school education, so computational math should be included. It is difficult to write a large number of good math questions that are appropriate for high school and not computational, so the only way to make the math distribution significant is to use computation.
+
|The [[canon]] of askable computation questions is large enough to be legitimate, especially when you have teams that are used to such questions and recruit strong math students.
−
*Computational math has a single, uniquely identifying answer, unlike other eschewed parts of a high school education such as "writing an essay" or "debating the effectiveness of a policy". Any relevant topic with a single answer that can be quickly judged as "right" or "wrong" can be used in quizbowl within the flow of the game.
+
|The [[canon]] of askable computation questions is too small in most formats to adequately differentiate between teams of roughly similar skill levels, and has already expanded to near its maximum; therefore at best computational math is [[bad quizbowl]]. Because teams that are very strong in computational math can completely dominate the category, it can play a major role in deciding matches even when it is a small part of the distribution.
−
*It is not universally agreed upon that computational speed is the deciding factor which determines which player will answer a computational problem first; rather it can be the recall of algorithms and equations (ostensibly "facts", though this is far from universally accepted), and the confidence with which one recalls those "facts". To avoid cumbersome answers which are the algorithms or equations themselves, it is preferable for expediency to have the players give the "answer" to the computation, rather than the algorithm itself. This argument assumes that questions will be well-written, since it does not apply to problems in which the most challenging aspect is computation.
+
|-
−
*While it is possible to define quizbowl as something that does not include any computation, it also is possible to define it as an activity that, on a certain minority of questions, includes computation.
+
|People who don't like computational math "hate math", are "bad at" math, or are "nerds" who only care about history, science, and art, and don't know anything with applicability to the real world.
−
*An argument can be made that the [[canon]] of askable computation questions is large enough to be legitimate, especially when you have teams that are used to such questions and recruit strong math students.
+
|Most people who understand both "[[good quizbowl]]" and math, including math majors and math teachers, oppose computational math and would like to see more questions on math theory instead.
−
*People who don't like computational math "hate math", are "bad at" math, or are "nerds" who only care about history, science, and art, and don't know anything with applicability to the real world, like the probability of drawing a red ball out of a hat. This is by far the most common "argument" used by computational math proponents.
+
|}
−
 
 
−
==College==
 
−
Computational math has largely disappeared from college quizbowl.  Occasionally NAQT will throw in a science bonus which requires some thought or familiarity with a formula to obtain the answer (e.g. "if an object exerts a force of 80 Newtons, and its mass doubles, how much force will it now exert?"), but there are no computation tossups and very few computation bonuses in the college game.
 
−
.
 
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
Line 54: Line 90:
 
*[http://www.hsquizbowl.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8006 Math Computation, Round 23748234] (contrary to popular belief, the number of times math computation has been discussed remains at most only in the low thousands)
 
*[http://www.hsquizbowl.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8006 Math Computation, Round 23748234] (contrary to popular belief, the number of times math computation has been discussed remains at most only in the low thousands)
 
*[http://www.hsapq.com/math HSAPQ's policy on math tossups], written in late 2008, in which the company set its policy refusing to write computational math tossups and explained why  
 
*[http://www.hsapq.com/math HSAPQ's policy on math tossups], written in late 2008, in which the company set its policy refusing to write computational math tossups and explained why  
 +
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
  
 
[[Category: Subjects]]
 
[[Category: Subjects]]
Line 59: Line 98:
 
[[Category:bad quizbowl]]
 
[[Category:bad quizbowl]]
 
[[Category: controversies]]
 
[[Category: controversies]]
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{{c|Quizbowl lingo}}
 +
{{c|Quizbowl concepts}}

Latest revision as of 13:54, 27 August 2023

Computational math (or comp math) is a type of math question which asks players to solve a mathematics problem instead of identifying a conceptual answer from verbal clues. These questions are also referred to as "pencil and paper ready" questions, as all NAQT computation questions begin with that phrase - however, this term can also refer to questions which require players to write down a list, or science questions that require use of a scientific law, formula, or other computation to get a numerical answer.

Comp math can be considered the counterpart of "theoretical math".

Theory

Most of the objection to computational math comes from the use of computational tossups, which are inherently non-pyramidal. This is because there is only a single problem being described by a tossup - the bulk of question consists of simpler rephrasings or hints on the methods required, rather than clues. This objection has largely prevailed over arguments for computation - for a more in-depth look at arguments for and against comp math, see the "Historical" section below.

Computation bonuses have survived longer in "good quizbowl" sets such as the VHSL sets produced by HSAPQ and NAQT, as well as the HSNCT. In general, though, most sets with a national audience have abandoned computation bonuses simply because it is difficult to solve any non-trivial math problem in 5 or fewer seconds and giving teams more time often delays the game.

Status in modern quiz bowl

College

Computational math is effectively non-existent in college quiz bowl. There are no computational tossups of any kind in any set. There are occasional "pencil and paper ready" science bonuses in both NAQT and housewrites which require some level of calculation to answer correctly, but this is the extent of computational questions.

High school

The amount of computational math in the high school game varies significantly from format to format and from state to state. The majority of states which participate in "good quizbowl" do not have any comp math, the culmination of a steady decline in its popularity that started in the mid-2000s. This means that top teams which do not participate in a state format can go the entire season without playing a computational question.

Almost every high school housewrite has zero computational math. PACE does not include any computation questions in their tournament sets and HSAPQ (while it was still extant) did not either. NAQT is the sole national question vendor which still sells sets containing computational math tossups, but individual hosts of NAQT sets may choose to skip over the computational questions at their own tournaments.

The HSNCT still uses computation bonuses at the rate of about 1 such bonus per game - computation tossups were eliminated from 2010 forward based on several years of surveys given to attending teams about their preferences.[1] The Old PACE format for NSC featured a computation bonus in its "Category Quiz" round until it was phased out in 2010. Therefore, it is eminently possible for the best high school team in the country to become a legitimate national champion without focusing on computational math at all.

State formats

Many state formats still have significant amounts of comp math. Until 2022, computation comprised up to 20-25% of the entire distribution of the MSHSAA state series; it has since been lowered to NAQT's standard 1 tossup and bonus per packet. VHSL also retains computational math.

Historically, the IHSA state series used math questions that were almost exclusively computational. That coupled with occasional computational science questions meant that over 20 percent of all questions were computational. Pressure to adhere to quizbowl standards caused the IHSA to agree to include at least one non-computational math tossup per round (out of the 4 math tossups in each round). Controversy arose in 2012 during a match at the IHSA State Finals between IMSA and Auburn when moderator Tom Egan noted that the packet in use did not meet the set’s Terms and Conditions because all its math tossups were computational. The head editor, Sister John Baricevic, acknowledged the mistake but had no recourse since all the replacement math tossups were also computational. In 2016, Noah Prince served as the math editor for the IHSA and wrote the first state series without computational math tossups. That practice has continued since 2018 under the head editorship of Brad Fischer.

Historical status

4) PENCIL AND PAPER READY. Yi Sun wants to calculate how to make computational questions compatible with good quizbowl. He starts by making 13 posts in the "An Open Letter to NAQT" thread about the Alexander-Leftchetz duality, but loses 40% of his argument's validity by agreeing with Brad Fischer. Reaching a dead end, he convinces Tom Egan to make X7 edits to the Computational Math page on the qbwiki, where x represents the O'Neals Handwave index calculated to the nearest Watson Ladd integral. Still not finding a satisfactory answer, Yi studies the 30 canonical types of NAQT math problems for 6 hours, applying a Fourier Transform to the 425 character limit, printing out the result, and accidentally using the paper in place of a substituted alkene while performing a Diels-Alder reaction for his orgo class. The subsequent explosion kills him so he is not able to finish the problem. For no points, give a funeral oration which explains for Yi why computational math questions make good quizbowl.

ANSWER: There is no acceptable answer to this question (i.e. there is no way for teams to earn points on this question. Still deduct points if a team negs (credit this on tossup 26 on the scoresheet))

-2008 Gunpei Yokoi Memorial Open

The role computational math should play in high school quizbowl has been one of the most hotly debated subjects in the history of the Quizbowl Resource Center forums. Eventually, the growing consensus of players, teachers, and coaches across state lines solidified in their opposition to math computation questions, driving its decline in nationally-oriented formats and tournament sets. Computational math is often controversial in formats that do have it, while it is rarely missed in those that do not.

There are not many legitimate arguments for the existence of computational math tossups. A common tactic of proponents is to employ various forms of avoision: the most common such argument is to accuse those who oppose computational math of being unable to do math. The presence of many math majors, math teachers, and former Mathcounts competitors explaining why calculation tossups are illegitimate does nothing to dissuade this argument.

Here are some major arguments that have been advanced in favor of computational math, with associated rebuttals:

Argument For Argument Against
Because quizbowl is a reflection of what is learned in school and computational math is an important part of that education, it should be included. Other quizbowl subjects that appear in the classroom like history or chemistry are written to focus on important concepts and deemphasize trivia like dates or specific atomic weights. Removing computation from the math distribution is a consistent application of these principles.
It is not feasible to write enough good questions to fill the need for math questions without relying on computational questions.
  • It being difficult to produce quality questions is not sufficient argument - the use of good, pyramidal questions is better than the use of bad, apyramidal questions.
  • There is no reason that there would have to be the same number of math questions after removing computation. In formats without computation, math is given a smaller portion of the distribution as part of other science and there are no problems creating enough good questions to fill it. Even sets with higher fractions of math like Scobol Solo have not run into issues.[2]
Quizbowl can be defined it as an activity that, on a certain minority of questions, includes computation, rather than one that does not. Quizbowl is typically defined as an activity which tests knowledge. Further, "good quizbowl" is defined as quizbowl that preferentially rewards knowledge over other skills. Because computational math requires an additional skill beyond the simple recall of facts and association of facts with an answer, it is not "good quizbowl".
Any relevant topic with a single answer that can be quickly judged as "right" or "wrong" can be used in quizbowl - this is true of computational math. The principle underlying pyramidality is that questions should be able to distinguish between players based on their knowledge of a subject. It is not sufficient for a topic to have an answer which can be ruled correct or incorrect to be considered "good quizbowl" (or even quizbowl).
Computational speed is not the only deciding factor for who answers a computational problem first (assuming they are well written); recall of algorithms and equations also matters and is a form of knowledge.
  • Computational math questions rely on a set of memorized "tricks" for answering certain kinds of problems instead of a unique association between a set of clues and its answer; therefore computational math is not quizbowl and does not belong in quizbowl.
  • Even if it were more universally accepted that answering a computational question is based upon the ability to recall an algorithm, and that it is expedient to give the solution to the problem, rather than the algorithm itself, it is undeniable that computation speed can be considered a factor in the speed at which the question is answered. This creates a situation where questions involving computational math become "different" from other questions, and thus may not be appropriate.
Giving the answer to a specific computation is less cumbersome than asking for the algorithm or formula used to compute it. This is only true in some sitatuations - there are many ways to write questions asking for algorithms, formulas, or the concepts that underpin them which are no more cumbersome than answering with a number, and which do not require computation.
The canon of askable computation questions is large enough to be legitimate, especially when you have teams that are used to such questions and recruit strong math students. The canon of askable computation questions is too small in most formats to adequately differentiate between teams of roughly similar skill levels, and has already expanded to near its maximum; therefore at best computational math is bad quizbowl. Because teams that are very strong in computational math can completely dominate the category, it can play a major role in deciding matches even when it is a small part of the distribution.
People who don't like computational math "hate math", are "bad at" math, or are "nerds" who only care about history, science, and art, and don't know anything with applicability to the real world. Most people who understand both "good quizbowl" and math, including math majors and math teachers, oppose computational math and would like to see more questions on math theory instead.

External Links

The following is a non-exhaustive list of discussions and articles about the place of computational math in quizbowl.

References

  1. ↑ Computation questions and the 2010 HSNCT by Important Bird Area » Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:22 pm
  2. ↑ 40 Maths by Stained Diviner » Mon Nov 12, 2012 5:28 am
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