One point is scored for each problem correctly solved. The team with the greatest number of solved problems wins. In the event of a tie, the amount of time taken to solve the last-solved problem will be used to break the tie. Time will be computed by adding the time taken to solve the last-solved problem, and adding a 15-minute penalty for each incorrect problem submission. A tieing team with a lower effective time will be judged ahead of the others involved in the tie.
For each problem, you will be supplied with sample data for testing, and a description of the file format. For grading, files with different data but the same format will be used. Therefore, programs must be written to solve the problem generically; a solution that is customized for the sample data will not work. Judges' data files contain valid data; you are not responsible for checking for the validity of data, but you must handle all special cases of valid data.
Problems solutions must be submitted in source-code form, in one of the official languages announced for the competition. No other form of submission is acceptable.
A correct program is one that gives correct output when run with the data files used by the judges. Only the output counts: no credit is scored for algorithm, style, documentation, etc.
In the special case where a program requires no input, and the problem statement specifically requires an algorithmic solution, the judges may inspect the program code to ensure that the solution is algorithmic.
A team may have up to three members of high school students. A team all of whose members are in tenth grade or below shall be registered in the Lower Division. Other teams will be registered in the Upper Division. Teams may not be reconstituted after check-in on the morning of the competition. Irrespective of their division, all teams will face the same set of problems.
Each team will be assigned one computer workstation. You may not use any workstation other than the one assigned to your team. Should there be a problem with your assigned workstation, contact a proctor.
Teams may not communicate with anyone outside the team during the contest period, except for laboratory proctors and SRU Computer Science faculty. Use of communication software, such as Web browsers, instant messengers, or email programs, is grounds for disqualification.
Competitors may use any form of written documentation during the contest, provided they carry it in. This includes, but is not limited to, program listings, math books, programming texts, and other printouts. All such documentation must be printed on paper; no electronic documents are permitted.
No calculators, telephones, or other electronic memory, communication, or processing aids are permitted during the contest. Do not bring floppy disks, Zip disks, CD-ROM's, USB sticks, or any other media to the competition. Use of the calculator program on your team's assigned computer is permitted. You are also permitted to use whatever software tools, such as debuggers, are provided on your workstation.
Each team will be assigned to a particular building, lab, and workstation. You are restricted to that lab, the commons area and corridors on the same floor, and the debugging room and whatever halls and/or stairs lead to the debugging room. Access to restrooms adjoining these areas is also permitted. Leaving the contest location during the contest period is grounds for disqualification.
The beginning and ending times of the contest period will be announced on the morning of the contest. No team will be granted a delayed ending time because of late arrival to the contest location.
Prizes are awarded by school. Prizes will be awarded to each member of the first-place team at each division. Prizes will be awarded to each member of the second-place team at each division, provided a team from the same school hasn't won first place in that division; in such a case, the prizes will be awarded to the highest-placing team in that division from another school.
Competitors
must abide by all Slippery Rock University regulations
regarding
computer access and the use of SRU computer facilities.
Last Updated: September 11,2005
Webmaster: Michael P. Conlon