Why did nobody answer my post?

Why Did Nobody Answer My Post?

It happens quite a lot on this forum. Somebody posts a question and doesn't get answers — or gets answers, but not the ones they anticipated. This is very unfortunate. This is why we've compiled a list of items to watch for when improving your posts.

  • Did you provide an attempt at solving the problem?

    This is perhaps the most common mistake that new members make. When posting homework, if you do not make any attempt yourself, other people are not allowed to help at all! This holds particularly true in the homework forums.

    Of course, many people don't know where to begin, so how could they make an attempt? Well, an attempt could consist of many things: checking the theory in the textbook to see if there's something relevant, checking previous problems to see if there's something you can use, drawing a picture, trying to find an intuitive answer by visualizing the problem, and so on. Here is a list of simple things you can try when solving a problem. This may not lead you to the answer, but it will make the problem clearer.

    Also, be sure to include all the relevant definitions. This is very helpful to us, since sometimes there are multiple definitions for the same term. Telling us which definition you use gives us more information on how to give appropriate help. Also, think about how the definitions apply to your problem (and be sure to tell us what you think!). For example, suppose you are given the problem:

    Show that the cosine function is continuous.

    When posting this, you should at least include the definition of "continuous" you're using (again, there are many possible definitions). A definition of cosine would also be quite helpful, as would any properties you think are useful. Again, be sure to show us what you tried and where you're stuck. In showing that cosine is continuous, you just need to apply a definition — so tell us what's hard about it.

  • But I looked at my problem for hours, and I really don't know how to start!

    If you truly looked at the problem for hours, then you must have something you find confusing. This is something you should tell us about, and it shows you thought about the problem. Also, when we ask for attempts, people often think we already want half the solution — this is not true. An attempt can take many forms: a specific question that's confusing you, an approach that doesn't seem to work, definitions or theorems you're having trouble applying, a previous problem that seems related but easier, etc.

  • Did you follow the homework template?

    When posting in the homework forums, you are required to follow the homework template, which looks like this:

    1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data


2. Relevant equations


3. The attempt at a solution

    The requirement to follow the homework template isn't just us trying to bully you — it has a good reason. It makes the problem much clearer to the homework helpers, and perhaps also to you. It's never a bad idea to structure your posts, and our template helps you do that. Also, under "Relevant equations," you should also post the definitions of the terms you're using — see the question above.

  • Did you post that your homework is due in a few hours and that you need help NOW?

    If you did, you should remove this. It doesn't get you a faster response. Some people even refuse to help posters who write things like "ASAP" or "Help needed fast." Also, if your homework is due in a few hours, then perhaps you should have asked for help earlier. People here are volunteers and aren't paid to help you. We will answer when we can, but it's not nice to put us under pressure.

  • Did you research the problem yourself first?

    Often we get questions like:

    Hey, can anybody explain what the theory of relativity says?

    Threads like this get very little response, because the question is far too broad, and because it's apparent the poster didn't look for answers themselves. This Insights article by ZapperZ explains this in more detail: Very Little Excuse To Ask A Question Cold.

  • Did you give enough explanation in your post?

    It's always better to give too much information than too little. First, try to define the terms and variables you use. For example:

    How do you prove if [itex]\Phi:A\rightarrow B[/itex] is injective?

    This is bad because you never defined Φ, A, or B. This is admittedly an exaggerated example, but do define all the variables you use. Similarly:

    How do I know if [itex]\{1,2,3\}[/itex] is Lindelöf?

    Not many people know what "Lindelöf" means, even if they studied the relevant subject. Those people could answer you if you explained the term, but as it stands, they're probably not going to bother. So do explain the terms you're using.

    Of course, it would be silly to explain terms like force or derivative — these are well-known. So it takes a bit of judgment to see which terms need defining. But if you haven't received a good answer yet, perhaps a follow-up post explaining some terms is needed!

  • Did you explain your education level and the relevant courses you're taking?

    Usually we can deduce your level of education from the post, but this isn't always possible. It may well happen that people start talking over your head, or say things that seem obvious to you. The more general your question is, the more important it is to include some personal information about yourself. Also, if you know the answer to a problem, it helps to say so!

  • Did you give a link to a book you're reading?

    Looking up the relevant page on Google Books and giving us the link helps a lot. Of course, the entire book often isn't available online, so this may not be possible. In that case, quote the exact problem or paragraph you want to discuss. In any case, tell us the book you're using and the page — there might be people who own the same book.

  • Did you use LaTeX?

    Reading plain computer symbols is often very annoying for helpers, and when there isn't a nice enough layout, many people will ignore your post. This can be easily solved by taking some time to learn LaTeX. It really isn't hard to learn, and it makes the job much easier for us! A tutorial on LaTeX can be found here.

    If you don't want to learn LaTeX for some reason, at least use the x2 and x2 buttons to make subscripts and superscripts. Also try using the symbol list to the right of the posting window to make your post more readable.

  • Did you post your question as an attachment? Is it written by hand?

    Writing your question down on paper and posting it as an attachment is convenient for you, but not for the people trying to help you. Some will ignore such posts, and if the handwriting is hard to read, they will certainly ignore it.

  • Did you include a descriptive title?

    A title like "help needed" doesn't tell the helpers much — it's obvious that help is needed, otherwise you wouldn't have posted a thread. A more descriptive title will likely get more people to read your thread!

  • How long did you wait for a reply?

    It can sometimes take a while before you get a good reply. This may be, for example, because you're posting in a different time zone than most members. Always wait at least 24 hours before bumping a post (and even then, please bump only once). Be aware: bumping your thread is often counterproductive. Many helpers give preference to posts without any replies — if they see a reply already, they'll often assume someone else is dealing with the problem.

    Also, if you make a mistake in your post, it's much better to edit it than to reply to your own thread. Again, posts with replies tend to get fewer answers than posts without replies.

Authors of This FAQ

  • Fredrik
  • micromass
  • tiny-tim
  • vela