Radical: In the absence of grouping symbols, the radical sign applies to just the numeral immediately behind it by default.
x for # factors and (EL only) smallest prime: In the absence of grouping symbols, x applies just to the numeral immediately behind it by default
Elementary/Middle - the odd/even variation lists have been revised to the following.
Elementary
Perennial (played every year): Sideways, Upside-down, 0 wild, Factorial, Multiple operations, Three operations
Odd years (starting in 2008-9): Average, LCM, GCF, Number of Factors
Even Ayears (starting in 2009-10): Smallest prime, Two-digit numerals, Percent, Decimal point
Middle
Perennial (played every year): Sideways, Upside-down, 0 wild, Factorial, Base m, Multiple operations, Exponent
Odd years (starting in 2008-9): Average, Powers of the base, Number of Factors
Even years (starting in 2009-10): Multiple of k, Percent, Decimal point
Note 1: AB+ is deleted from the Middle variation lists.
Note 2: A change voted in last year will take effect this year: The 1000 limit for Number of factors is removed. (Number of Factors, as an odd variation, was not played last year in Middle.)
Junior/Senior
* for Bases 11-12 and radical for Base 12:
If context cannot determine whether * or radical represents a numeral or an operation, the default interpretation will be the operation.
On-Sets
Senior
The Symmetric Difference variation now reads as follows: "The - symbol means 'symmetric difference;' that is, A - B equals (A - B) U (B - A), where these last two - signs mean set subtraction."
For the Double set variation, any - in the double set name means symmetric difference when the Symmetric Difference has also been chosen.
Propaganda
The sections for this year are A,
C, D, and E.
LinguiSHTIK
Correct LT26: It should say "four ahead at warning" rather than six ahead at warning."
Remove LT17: Any demand not on the list of General Demands is unacceptable and may not be called. We don't need a list of unacceptable demands. (This has been around a long time and is no longer needed.)
Require correct punctuation for conjunctive adverbs. All grammar books agree that they are punctuated as follows: independent clause; conj adv, independent clause. There is a semicolon after the first independent clause and a comma after the conjunctive adverb.
Junior/Senior: Change the Order of Play sheet so that they can see the General Demands for their game. The new order of play sheet has the Order of Play and the Scoring Chart on the front, and their General Demands list on the back.
Presidents
All divisions
The focus
point for clues in will be Slogans.
Elementary/Middle play Presidents #25-43 this year.
Junior/Senior questions will include clues involving
Group 4 of the American
Leaders list.
World
Events
The Theme for 2008-9 is "1980s in America (Jan.1,
1980 - Dec. 31, 1989)." The subtopics are:
Newsworthy - People, Places, Events
Firsts or Record Breakers - Foods, Fads, People or New Words
Science and Technology - discoveries, Inventions, Innovations and Medical Advances
International Matters with an American connection - World Leaders, International Conferences, Crisis and Affairs
Entertainment - the Arts, Literature, theatre, Movies, Music and Television
Any player who answers on the wrong line will be assessed a one-point penalty.