FAQ: Homework

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to do the homework?

Yes!  Homework is the preparation for exams.

No, really; do I need to do ALL the homework?

Yes!  Some repetition is useful in remembering commonly used concepts.

What if I miss class; do I still have to do the homework?

Yes!  You should also check with a classmate to find out what you may have missed.

…But I have a really good excuse.

You still have to do the homework.  The absence may be excused, but that does not mean you are excused from learning the material.

I don’t want to do the homework: do I still have to do it?

Yes!  Unfortunately, the hard work involved in doing homework is how you learn the material.

My classmates don’t appear to be doing the homework: do I still have to?

Yes!  Even if many in the class are doing poorly, you should still try to do your best.

Some homework problems are assigned but not collected: do I have to do those?

Yes!  It is assumed you will do the assignments and ask questions about them.

OK, some of the assigned problems have answers in the back of the textbook.  Can I just copy the answers down for them?

No!  You are expected to do those problems and show your work.  The answers are there so you can check your work, catch mistakes, and make corrections.

The instructor does problems on the board if I ask: doesn’t that mean I do not have to do any myself?

No; the instructor does some problems in the hope that they will help you do other problems.

I could not understand how to do some problems: I don’t have to do them, right?

Not exactly!  You should get help from the instructor or the Math Center.  You may need to do MORE problems, not LESS!

I have other classes, work, and family obligations: I don’t have enough time to do the homework. 

This means you may be overscheduled and should consider cutting down somewhere on your activities; it does not excuse you from needing to learn the material.

I am repeating this class—I have already done many similar problems.

Good: this means the assigned problems will be easier for you.  You still have to do them.

I don’t have the book: how can I do the homework?

You should borrow a book from the Math Center until you get one, and you should get the book as soon as possible.  In addition to homework problems, there is useful material to read in your textbook.

I am behind on the homework: does this mean I only need to keep up with the new assignments?

No, you should go back and do the homework assignments that you missed.

I come to class all the time, and take really good notes: isn’t that all I need to do?

No, you need to work problems to understand the math involved.  You can’t learn to swim by watching someone swim—you need to get in and take some strokes!  It is very much the same with math.

I did homework and got a good grade on the first exam.  Does that mean I don’t have to do any more homework?

No, you should continue to do homework and get a good grade on the next exam!

I understand the material and know I can do the homework: do I still have to do it?

Yes!

When will I not need to do any more homework?

When you have done it all and passed the class.