diff --git a/utils.c b/utils.c
index 882ef2d..539ab14 100644
--- a/utils.c
+++ b/utils.c
@@ -66,3 +66,13 @@
 	return 0;
 }
 
+// count number of positive members in a list.
+// NOTE: list must be guaranteed to end in 0
+unsigned int count_positive(unsigned int *list)
+{
+	unsigned int c;
+
+	for (c = 0; list[c] > 0; c++);
+
+	return c;
+}