Homework
- Problem write-ups are your permanent record of your understanding
of the material covered. You will want your homework solutions to be
understandable to you when you are taking the exams.
- Solutions should be clearly and logically presented. This means
that:
- Your method should always be clear. It should be easy to figure
out what you're doing and why.
- Use a lot of space. I recommend using unlined paper; there's an
almost unlimited supply of this in the recycling bins, and not having
lines encourages you to write large and give yourself space. If you
are unable to liberate yourself from lined paper, try skipping some
lines.
- Equations should usually be accompanied by prose. Before plunging
into algebra, state what it is you're solving for. If there are any
non-obvious steps in a calculation, explain them.
- Write equations in a logical order.
- Solutions should stand on their own; they should be understandable
to someone who hasn't read the problem. You should almost always
paraphrase the question before writing your response.
- You should aim to develop some sort of semi-structured style for
solving problems. Different people have different styles. But good,
experienced problem-solvers all have some sort of system that they
use.
- I will not give numerical grades on HW assignments. Instead, I
will give a letter grade and try to include as many comments as I
can. I'm mainly interested in seeing that you thoughtfully attacked
the problem and wrote it up in a clear and coherent way.
- Finally, a few minor requests:
- On the top of the homework, please write the assignment number.
- Please do the problems in order. It's very time-consuming to have
to hunt around for your problems.
- If you don't have a stapler, that's ok. But please don't mangle
and fold over the corner in an attempt to get the pages to stick
together. Just write your name or initials on all pages and I'll
gladly staple them together.
- Please don't hand in problems on paper that has been torn out of a
spiral notebook.