Is it considered lame to use a CAS when helping people in the DE forum?

[clustro]

Hi there,

Many of the problems on this part of the forum simply boil down to "I don't know how to solve the ODE: <some strange ODE here>"

I kind of forgot how to solve many of these problems myself, so I've just been giving people the answer from matlab's dsolve function.

Is this considered rude? I would imagine most people are capable of this, so it might seem cheap.

I realize it doesn't help the person much if its for a class, since they need to show their work, but it at least let's them see the form of the right answer.

Thanks.

 

[HallsofIvy]

The problem with that is, of course, that the "answer" isn't really what is wanted. Most of the time the point is to learn how to solve a specific kind of problem. Just seeing the answer, whether provided by a person or a machine doesn't really help.

 

[Redbelly98]

Also, homework problems really should not be posted in this forum.

 

[matematikawan]

Post whatever problem you have here. I meant maths problem. If people feel like answering your problem then you are lucky. I personally learn quite a lot here from trying to answer other people problem. And further more I want to show off the number of post I have already submitted. This is my post No. 271.


Thanks Redbelly98 for your copy and paste maths symbols blog. Quite useful when we post in a forum without latex facility

 

[blue_raver22]

I understand the desire to use tools and resources to solve problems efficiently. However, it is important to consider the purpose of the DE forum and the expectations of its participants. While using a CAS (Computer Algebra System) may provide a quick and accurate solution to a problem, it may not be the most helpful approach in this context. The purpose of the forum is to help people understand and learn how to solve differential equations, not just provide the correct answer. By simply giving the answer from a CAS, you are not helping the person develop their problem-solving skills or understanding of the concept. Additionally, it may be seen as lazy or unhelpful to simply provide the answer without any explanation or guidance.

That being said, there may be situations where using a CAS is appropriate, such as when the person is struggling with the basic concepts and needs a starting point. In these cases, it may be helpful to provide the answer and then offer some explanation or steps towards solving the problem manually.

In conclusion, while using a CAS may not be considered "lame," it may not be the most effective or appropriate approach in the DE forum. It is important to consider the purpose of the forum and the expectations of its participants in order to provide the best assistance possible.