testing yes/no for CLA

[ssims]

Using info from Lab #2, for the CLA method of testing numbers, it seems the numbers start at 0 with no regard for negative numbers on the criteria selection. I feel like for some problems that start out "If n is an interger" and the criteria selection starts at 0, then a negative number could present a problem, is this ever the case?

Note: I am not talking about "Is x positive/negative" questions where testing a negative value is a must.

Thanks.

[StaceyKoprince]

Generally speaking, negatives should always be in the mix unless the problem tells you (or allows you to figure out) that the unknown in question is not negative. The numbers you choose to try first will vary according to the language / symbols in the problem. For example, if I see an absolute value sign, I'm definitely going to try negatives (probably first, actually), because absolute value is all about hiding the sign, right? But if the problem doesn't have any aspect that indicates negatives might be a key pivot, then I'll likely try positives first. For example, if the problem seems to indicate that the key pivot is even vs. odd, I'll try an even positive and then an odd positive before I'll try a negative. Make sense?