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 | 1 | initial version | posted 2014-06-22 18:08:45 -0600  |
Homework questions are definitely allowed on this site!! In fact, the major purpose of the site is to provide a place to discuss homework and other problems coming from class (like on review sheets) in detail. However, a good question will state the problem completely, using mathematical notation, and indicate any progress that the you've already made.
Example HW questions
Not so good
How do I do problem 42 in section 3.1?
A better question
Problem 42 in section 3.1 asks us to find the extremes of the function $f(x)=x^4-2 x^3-5 x^2+12 x-2$. I can compute the derivative easily enough to find $f'(x)=4 x^3-6 x^2-10 x+12$, but I'm having difficulty factoring the resulting cubic. Any advice on that factorization - as well as how to polish the problem off?
Other types of questions
Of course, other questions related to course material are welcome as well - but they must be directly related to our course and be specific, answerable questions. For example, problems out of the text but not directly assigned or from other source, but clearly related to our course, should be just fine. Open ended questions like "What's all this stuff good for, anyway?" are not a particularly good fit.
| | 2 | No.2 Revision |
Homework questions are definitely allowed on this site!! In fact, the major purpose of the site is to provide a place to discuss homework and other problems coming from class (like on review sheets) in detail. However, a good question will state has an informative title, states the problem completely, using mathematical notation, and indicate any progress that the you've already made.
Example HW questions
Not so good
Title: Section 3.1, #42
How do I do problem 42 in section 3.1?
A better question
Title: Finding the extremes of a univariate function
Problem 42 in section 3.1 asks us to find the extremes of the function $f(x)=x^4-2 x^3-5 x^2+12 x-2$. I can compute the derivative easily enough to find $f'(x)=4 x^3-6 x^2-10 x+12$, but I'm having difficulty factoring the resulting cubic. Any advice on that factorization - as well as how to polish the problem off?
Other types of questions
Of course, other questions related to course material are welcome as well - but they must be directly related to our course and be specific, answerable questions. For example, problems out of the text but not directly assigned or from other source, but clearly related to our course, should be just fine. Open ended questions like "What's all this stuff good for, anyway?" are not a particularly good fit.
