Nice post by BBC Sport - for once!

[Dkc]

I was initially but have now switched sides

You can always switch back. We need a minimum of four hardcore supporters in our camp.

 

[Dkc]

Fixed that for you

So you are 100% certain we can get promotion with just one or two more points? I'm not.

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

You can always switch back. We need a minimum of four hardcore supporters in our camp.

I really am a splitter, as I can see and understand both sides argument. The joys of the English language

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Can't believe I'm doing this...

Luton might win all their remaining games. If they do:
0 points won't be enough for us
1 point won't be enough for us
2 points might be enough for us depending on goal difference.
3 points will definitely be enough

In order to guarantee promotion from the current position we need a minimum of 3 points to do so.

All you maximum sheep are speculating on Luton or Boro's future results, team minimum is all about what United do.

 

[Lord Eddard Muir]

So you are 100% certain we can get promotion with just one or two more points? I'm not.

100 per cent certainty doesn't come into it. The question is: what is the most points it it possible for us to still need to add to our total in order to confirm promotion? And given that the teams behind us currently trail by 7 points and 8 points respectively with (a maximum of) 9 points left for them to play for, the answer to that is 3.

 

[Lord Eddard Muir]

Can't believe I'm doing this...

Luton might win all their remaining games. If they do:
0 points won't be enough for us
1 point won't be enough for us
2 points might be enough for us depending on goal difference.
3 points will definitely be enough

In order to guarantee promotion from the current position we need a minimum of 3 points to do so.

All you maximum sheep are speculating on Luton or Boro's future results, team minimum is all about what United do.

Nobody's arguing about the maths, this is semantics. "We still need a minimum of 3 points" suggests that there is a situation in which we might still need more than 3 points and, barring a random points deduction, that simply isn't the case.

 

[GrunkyPeep]

Speaking as a qualified maths teacher, the reason there is confusion here is because the question is ambiguous and poorly written.

If the question is, "as of today, how many points are needed to secure promotion right now?", the minimum would be 3, because 0, 1, 2 wouldn't do it.

But also, if the question was "how many points are needed to secure promotion?", the minimum would be 0 as we could get promoted despite losing every game.

Nailing my colours to the mast of the question though, I would say we need a maximum of 3 points to mathematically secure promotion.

 

[ZoneManWilf]

Nobody's arguing about the maths, this is semantics. "We still need a minimum of 3 points" suggests that there is a situation in which we might still need more than 3 points and, barring a random points deduction, that simply isn't the case.

I love semantics me

We have 12 points to play for, we need to obtain a minimum of 3 out of those 12 to guarantee promotion. I don't think the word maximum is even applicable in describing it.

I suspect this isn't going to be solved

 

[Dkc]

100 per cent certainty doesn't come into it. The question is: what is the most points it it possible for us to still need to add to our total in order to confirm promotion? And given that the teams behind us currently trail by 7 points and 8 points respectively with (a maximum of) 9 points left for to play for, the answer to that is 3.

The question is 'what is the fewest number of points needed to guarantee promotion for the Blades if Luton win all their games. That number is 85. Yes, we could get promoted on 82 or 83 but that's not guaranteed. So the minimum number of points needed is 85. Of course ,86 or 87 also guarantees promotion, but the minimum points needed is 85.

85 is potentially the maximum points total needed, true. But you can't be 100% sure.

 

[GrunkyPeep]

I love semantics me

We have 12 points to play for, we need to obtain a minimum of 3 out of those 12 to guarantee promotion. I don't think the word maximum is even applicable in describing it.

I suspect this isn't going to be solved

"We have 12 points to play for, we need to obtain 3 out of those 12 to guarantee promotion"

Fixed it for you. In that sentence, you don't need maximum or minimum. We just need 3 points to guarantee promotion, that it. You could replace the word minimum with maximum in that sentence and it would still be equally correct so in that situation you don't need either word.

 

[Trafford]

As we always used to get told when sitting exams, make sure that you read the question properly. The article says:-

“Sheffield need a maximum of 3 points from their final four games to secure promotion back to the Premier League”

There is no reference to “guaranteeing” promotion and hence “maximum” is correct, as it’s use in this context is “at most”.

 

[Bartleby]

As we always used to get told when sitting exams, make sure that you read the question properly. The article says:-

“Sheffield need a maximum of 3 points from their final four games to secure promotion back to the Premier League”

There is no reference to “guaranteeing” promotion and hence “maximum” is correct, as it’s use in this context is “at most”.


View attachment 158516

It's bonky madness all this

Come on blade too long what do you think it is - 3 points maximum or 3 points minimum we need?

 

[Trafford]

It's bonky madness all this

Best thread I’ve ever started…..

 

[Dkc]

As we always used to get told when sitting exams, make sure that you read the question properly. The article says:-

“Sheffield need a maximum of 3 points from their final four games to secure promotion back to the Premier League”

There is no reference to “guaranteeing” promotion and hence “maximum” is correct, as it’s use in this context is “at most”.


View attachment 158516

'Securing' promotion is the same as 'guaranteeing' promotion.

 

[Bartleby]

Best thread I’ve ever started…..

You need to start a Min Power one in Rumour Mill now

 

[Ralph Blade]

Maximum

Anything above 3 points will have the same outcome guaranteed. The most we need is 3 points but even 0, 1, or 2 could be enough.

 

[Jon Bon II]

You can always switch back. We need a minimum of four hardcore supporters in our camp.

You know the score...

 

[CornwallBlade]

My dad used the drive lorry chassis without cabs from Bedford back to Sheffield in the 50s, complete with goggles!

My parents used to talk about a trip across the Penines in a Riley in the early 60’s when my mother was leaning out of the passenger window sweeping snow off the windscreen so that my dad could see!

 

[Numpty's Dusty Ruts.]

When I was 12 my dad bought an Austin Maxi. Whenever my mum drove it we used to call her maximum. Hope that helps.

My mum was quite little, a lot smaller than Mrs Numpty's mum. Therefore my mum was Mini-mum, and Mrs Numpty's mum was Maxi-mum. Simples, as they say.