Math 42 Homework


Description and Policies

Problems from the textbook and other handouts will serve one of two purposes in Math 42: as uncollected Daily Discussion Problems or as graded Weekly Homework. Each is handled in a different way and has a different purpose.

About Daily Discussion Problems (Quick Jump to List): Each time we cover a topic, we will list below the corresponding text section and also some "discussion problems" that will help direct the discussion in the upcoming Tuesday/Thursday section meetings. Some will be similar to problems from weekly homework assignments. For complete understanding of the course material, be sure that you understand both the discussion problems and the weekly homework problems. (Work on daily discussion problems will not be collected.)

About Weekly Homework (Quick Jump to List): Completing homework assignments is an essential part of this course. Problems are designed to reinforce concepts covered in lecture as well as to encourage students to explore implications of the results discussed in class. Very few students will be able to go through the entire course without struggling on many problems, so do not be discouraged if you do not immediately know how to solve a problem. In confronting difficult questions you should consider how the problem at hand connects to topics, definitions and/or theorems discussed in class.

When you have worked on a problem for a while and remain stuck, you are encouraged to ask for hints from your instructor or TA. Students may also discuss problems with one another, but must write solutions on their own. In particular if you have taken notes while discussing homework problems with friends or instructors, you must put these notes away when writing your solution. The Honor Code applies to this and all other written aspects of the course. Be warned: watching someone else solve a problem will not make homework a good preparation for tests. Don't get caught in the trap of relying on others to get through homework assignments.

Students are expected to take care in writing their assignments. For instance,
  • assignments should be written neatly;
  • assignments should contain clear, complete solutions;
  • solutions sets which contain multiple pages should be stapled; and
  • never forget to put your name, your section number and your TA's name on the top of your work.
  • For a guide to solution completeness, see this handout of sample writeups for homework and exam problems (from Math 41 last quarter).

    Partial progress toward solutions on problems will be awarded partial credit, but simply writing answers down without justification will receive zero credit. Please note that usually only a portion of each week's problems will be scored; the selection of problems chosen to be graded will not be announced in advance.

    Logistics for Weekly Homework: Assignments must be turned in to your TA -- you will not receive credit for work turned into another section leader. (If you're unable to turn in your homework in section, slide it under your TA's office door.) The deadline is 3:15 p.m. on the given due date, and no late homework will be accepted under any circumstances. (This is as much a courtesy to the grader as an incentive to stay current with the course and not fall behind.) To accommodate exceptional situations such as a serious illness, your lowest two homework scores will be dropped at the end of the quarter. Solutions will be posted on this page by the following morning.


    List of Daily Discussion Problems


    List of Weekly Homework Assignments

    Please see above for Weekly Homework policies.
    1. Due Tuesday, Jan. 17. Solutions (pdf)
    2. Due Tuesday, Jan. 24. Solutions (pdf)
    3. Due Tuesday, Jan. 31. Solutions (pdf)
    4. Due Tuesday, Feb. 7. Solutions (pdf)
    5. Due Tuesday, Feb. 14. Solutions (pdf)
    6. Due Tuesday, Feb. 21. Solutions (pdf)
    7. Due Thursday, Mar. 1. Solutions (pdf)
    8. Due Thursday, Mar. 8. Solutions (pdf)
    9. Due Tuesday, Mar. 13. Solutions (pdf)
    10. Not collected: extra problems for practice before the Final Exam (see also Exams Page). Solutions (pdf)

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