I've got it !! -- I think.
Ian had attempted to simplify the formula to be used to judge our challenge (post #1), but only served to confuse us as he presented the complex formula as a simple integer primary school equation.. wrong Ian .. we are much smarter than that- some of us even went to secondary school and can understand more complete explanations. Derek defined the judges agreed formula in much more detail as cn=v=fλn c n = v = f λ n
I have carried out extensive research and analysis of this equation over the past 1/2 hour or so and can say categorically that the equation has nothing whatsoever to do with arithmetic, algebra, calculus , trigonometry or even quantum mechanics - NO, the answer is in Derek's impressive qualifications in clinical psychology. As one uneducated in these matters to others similarly unqualified, my research revealed that the formula is used to define the effects of the brainwaves emitted in different areas of the brain when subjected to stimuli from the optical nerve, cones and rods and how the brain interprets these stimuli to define likes and dislikes (f in the formula) and to rate these in a manner that we, who are unfamiliar with intricacies of such matters, equate as good, better and best (n in the formula).
Doug3030 was almost there when he suggested a logarithmic scale, but my research suggests the the application of calculus, derivations and correlations are probably a better fit , although as I said in the preceding paragraph cn=v=fλn c n = v = f λ n is not purely a mathematical formula as we, woodworkers, would envisage. My research this morning failed to find any formula which would define the level of achievement and satisfaction I expect to experience when I complete the challenge. Whether someone judges it as 99/100 or 9/100 is largely irrelevant if I can hold my head high and say I made it, it works like I thought it would, I did the best I could and I am proud of my achievement.
I trust we all get to experience that feeling.
Cheers
Bob