This page shows Wisconsin Professional Surveyor Problem Corner challenges, select user-submitted solutions,
and a running count of who submitted solutions.
Although many of these problems are more easily solved using
computers, demonstration of mental rather than software dexterity is preferred. Software can be used for checks or repetitious
calculations (eg, spreadsheet for iterative solutions) but the main calculations should be manual. And we all know the importance
of math checks.
You can either scan your solution and email it to me at gmahun@matcmadison.edu or jmahun@yahoo.com
or snail-mail to me at 567 Prestige Court, Edgerton, WI 53534.
A scoring scheme (see below) will be used to
determine the annual top three solvers amongst all submitters.
To see a selected submitted solution click on the
underlined name; ditto for the problem statement. You need a pdf viewer installed in your browser or Acrobat Reader on your
computer.
Since the answer and submitters are announced in the following issue of the Wisconsin Professional
Surveyor, deadline for submission will be when that issue goes to the publisher.
Scoring System
This is the scoring system for the 2010 round.
Solution (S)
Date rec'd (D)
Bonus (B)
7 points
Correct answer
7 points
1st
5 points
Manual comps included.
5 points
Minor error
6 points
2nd
4 points
Manual comps with some computer
3 points
Major error
5 points
3rd
2 points
No comps - explanation only
1 point
Boom
4 points
4th
3 points
Math check
3 points
5th-8th
2 points
9th-12th
1 point
13th or later
Since the December issue of the Wisconsin Professional Surveyor comes out just before the Annual Institute and
solutions start trickling in January, the annual total will be based on the Dec-Mar-Jun-Sep issues sequence. The annual winner
will be announced in the following Dec issue.
Even though he was suffering a bout of Blastomycosis (which caused him to miss the Institute in who knows how many years),
Dave came up with the correct solution.
5
3
5
13
Mike Kelley
03 Feb
Mike
was on the right track but since he did it meticulously by long hand it looks like he stopped just before he got to the right
combination of distances.
Al emailed a correct answer (complete with math check) before I even received my copy of the Wis Professional Surveyor.
5
6
2
13
Burt Naumann
28 Jun
According to Burt: "I solved this problem by getting a hold of a 10 gallon jug of wine and proceeding with a trial
and error method. It took five or six attempts, but we sure had fun doing it!!" Unfortunately, Burt was off a little
but we admire his initiative.
7
5
5+3
20
Ross Michaels
28 Jun
Well developed rigorous solution with a math check.
7
4
5+3
19
Chris Ruetten
29 Jun
Used the proven trial and error approach.
7
3
4
14
Brian Plautz
30 Jun
Set up a spreadsheet to get the solution. Brian wrote that "My little daughter distracted me, I should have sent this
in yesterday afternoon." Children are a joy ... and a good excuse.
5
3
5
13
Norm Hanson
29 Jun - 5 Jul
It took Norm a few times, but he eventually came up with the right answer. He
was docked a few points for his earlier attempt(s).
7
3
5
15
Tony Dallman
6 Jul
Tony didn't get his June WPS in the mail until 6 Jul whereupon he promptly, and correctly, solved the problem. If this
"competition" heats up, we're going to have to make allowances for US Mail speed.
7
3
5
15
Mike Kelley
16 July
Typical of Mike, nicely developed computations leading to a correct solution.