Comments on Assignment/PS 1

The assignment was graded out of 20 points.

• Software Lab = 8 points
  • Question 1 (halfinterval) = 3 points
    2 points for correctness of the algorithm: The most common problem is termination based on the value of the polynomial being close to zero rather than the width of the interval as described in the handout. One of the points is for description/comments on the implementation of the algorithm.
  • Question 2 (test) = 1 points
    Provide substantial test cases.
  • Question 3 (polyRoot) = 3 points
    2 points for correctness, 1 point for description.
  • Question 4 (test) = 1 point
    Similar weighting 2 points for algorithm, 1 for explanation and 1 for test cases.
• Design Lab = 12 points
  • Question 11 (forward30) = 2 points
    1 point for the code, 1 point for description of behavior when testing
  • Question 12 (add back) = 2 points
    1 point for the code, 1 point for description of behavior when testing. For example, mention of oscillation.
  • Question 13 (seek) = 6 points
    3 points for the program, 2 point for explanation, 1 for description of behavior. The program should (a) move to goal position and (b) align to goal angle. Should explain how the program works - in particular how "if" tests cover all the cases.
  • Question 14 (time effects) = 2 points
    There should be at least a few sentences discussing that increasing time between calls to step would deteriorate the behavior, make oscillations more likely, achieve less precise localization, risk collisions, etc.