What can I do when I get stuck on the homework and
don't know where to start?
For students who are frequently unable to do a
significant portion of the homework (1/3 or more), I recommend buying the
solutions manual. The manual can be helpful, but it's important
to use it as a tool, not a crutch, since you will have to solve problems on the
test without it. If you get totally
stuck, here's one method you may want to try:
1.
Arm yourself with a stack of scratch paper.
2.
For the given problem, copy the solution out of the
solutions manual.
3.
Throw the solution away.
4.
Now try to do the same problem without the solutions
manual.
5.
If you get stuck, peek at the manual and finish the
solution.
6.
Throw the solution away.
7.
Repeat steps 4-6 until you can solve the problem
without the manual.
Be sure you don't stop until step 7. If you can't solve the problem at home without the solutions
manual, you can be sure that you won't be able to solve that type of problem
without the manual on a test.
For an even-numbered problem, try using the solution for the the
odd-numbered problem before it. The
problems tend to come in pairs and have similar solution methods.