Practice test question hits nerve at community college

Associated Press ^ | 4-13-2006 | AP

[Westlander]

A question given to students during a practice test for a math final at Bellevue Community College has students — and others — shaking their heads because of what they say is a lack of racial sensitivity.

It refers to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice although it doesn’t mention her by name, a civil rights activist said.

The question read: "Condoleezza holds a watermelon just over the edge of the roof of the 300-foot Federal Building, and tosses it up with a velocity of 20 feet per second."

The Condoleezza question went on to ask when the watermelon will hit the ground, based on a formula provided.

[Westlander]

If she was a black democrat, this would be headline news.

[cyborg]

Condi is so quiet. I would hate to see her angry.

[craig61a]

So how long does it take the watermelon to hit the ground?

[Paloma_55]

That is the joke... it doesn't!

[Paloma_55]

OK..OK... lets be sensitive here.

So, 3 muslims are putting together a truck bomb. Since the ratio of fuel to fertilizer for a proper bomb is 1:14, and the truck can carry 1500 pounds, how many gallons of hi-test do the muslims need to assist in blowing up a Federal Building?

[P-40]

and tosses it up with a velocity of 20 feet per second.

That is a seriously wicked toss up.

[Erik Latranyi]

So, 3 muslims are putting together a truck bomb. Since the ratio of fuel to fertilizer for a proper bomb is 1:14, and the truck can carry 1500 pounds, how many gallons of hi-test do the muslims need to assist in blowing up a Federal Building?

That's a trick question as you do not use gasoline in a fertilizer bomb (hi-test), but you use diesel fuel (home heating oil will work as well).

So, do I get an 'A'?

[absolootezer0]

That is a seriously wicked toss up

13.64mph? not really. just dropping it it'll be going faster than that.

[Sometimes A River]

Well, we all know that white racism against black conservatives is OK.

[P-40]

just dropping it it'll be going faster than that.

I'm thinking a watermelon like you see down here...one that is big enough that it takes almost a full day to get the vodka fully distributed. Not like one of those little honeydew watermelons.

[r9etb]

So how long does it take the watermelon to hit the ground?

About 4.2 seconds. It'll be travelling at about 115 ft/sec (about 78 mph), if we don't count drag.

[r9etb]

Ooops -- my bad. It's closer to 5 seconds (I mistakenly used 200 feet instead of 300 feet as the initial height.)

[VeniVidiVici]

1,000 illegals attended a rally. If 10% were arrested for disorderly conduct, and 15% arrested for assault, how many will get amnesty?

[Mygirlsmom]

Trick question! 100%.

[VeniVidiVici]

LOL! Right!

[CPOSharky]

...question went on to ask when the watermelon will hit the ground, based on a formula provided.

When will the watermelon hit the ground? Should be how long until the watermelon hits the ground. Not enough information to answer when. When did Condi launch the watermellon, last Thursday?

Furnished the formula? Is this really a math class?

[craig61a]

So how long does it take the watermelon to hit the ground?

About 4.2 seconds. It'll be travelling at about 115 ft/sec (about 78 mph), if we don't count drag.

And what about potential gravitational energy? And last but not least, would that be an African or a European watermelon...

[Atlantian]

107.1 gal.

[Joe 6-pack]

I prefer:

Ahmed climbs to the top of a 150' minaret with the freshly cut head of a liberal dhimmi. Sniper X is perched on a hillside 1000 meters away, armed with a .50 Barret. Sniper X fires a 500 gr. bullet traveling at a velocity of 2930 fps with a 750m zero on his rifle and a 20 knot cross wind blowing left to right. Calculate the sniper's hold for windage and bullet drop to achieve a perfect headshot on Ahmed.

Show your work in arabic numerals.

[monkeyshine]

Arbeh clicks to the mecca side.