Best Platforms for Posting Word Problems on Physics Forums

  • Thread starter Thread starter harpazo
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the best forum sections on Physics Forums for posting word problems, particularly in the context of homework help. Participants explore the nuances of language in word problems, the importance of clarity, and the use of LaTeX for mathematical expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the homework forums are the most appropriate for posting word problems, while others caution that language can lead to misunderstandings.
  • There is a discussion about the preference for using LaTeX for posting equations, with some participants indicating they do not plan to use equations in their threads.
  • One participant defines a word problem as a combination of math and words, providing examples to illustrate the concept.
  • Another participant questions the clarity of a sample word problem, prompting further discussion about the nature of word problems.
  • Some participants express that math is essential for solving word problems and emphasize the need to define variables and equations.
  • There is mention of the lack of a specific section for word problems at the high school and undergraduate levels within the homework help forums.
  • Participants discuss the ease of learning LaTeX for formatting mathematical expressions, with some suggesting that it is not necessary for simple linear equations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the homework forums are suitable for word problems, but there is no consensus on the best approach to posting them. Disagreements arise regarding the necessity of using LaTeX and the clarity of language in word problems.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that misunderstandings can occur due to the ambiguity of language in word problems, and there is a lack of specific guidelines for posting such problems in the forum.

harpazo
Messages
208
Reaction score
16
Which PF is best fitted for posting word problems?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In the homework forums. But be aware that language is usually not unique so that misunderstandings can happen. Formulas are more precise.
 
harpazo said:
Which PF is best fitted for posting word problems?

Thanks
fresh_42 said:
Formulas are more precise.
@harpazo -- Please be sure to read through the "LaTeX Guide" link below the Edit window at the left. We strongly prefer that you post any math equations using LaTeX, since it is much easier to read and to quote and correct. Thank you.
 
berkeman said:
@harpazo -- Please be sure to read through the "LaTeX Guide" link below the Edit window at the left. We strongly prefer that you post any math equations using LaTeX, since it is much easier to read and to quote and correct. Thank you.
I do not plan to post equations. Most of my threads will consist of word problems.
 
fresh_42 said:
In the homework forums. But be aware that language is usually not unique so that misunderstandings can happen. Formulas are more precise.
Most of my threads will be word problems not equations or shapes.
 
fresh_42 said:
In the homework forums. But be aware that language is usually not unique so that misunderstandings can happen. Formulas are more precise.
Homework Help does not have a specific window for word problems at the high school and undergraduate college level. Posting algebra applications in the precalculus and calculus forums is not placing material in the right place.
 
harpazo said:
Most of my threads will be word problems not equations or shapes.
What is a word problem?
 
PeroK said:
What is a word problem?
Is red a prettier color than blue? :wink:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: rsk
harpazo said:
I do not plan to post equations. Most of my threads will consist of word problems.
That's nonsense. Math is used to solve word problems. As we explained to a new member recently, the keys to solving word problems is to figure out good variables to define and then figure out what equations to write to put the word problem into solvable form.
harpazo said:
Homework Help does not have a specific window for word problems at the high school and undergraduate college level. Posting algebra applications in the precalculus and calculus forums is not placing material in the right place.
HH/Pre-calculus Math is the right forum.
 
  • #10
PeroK said:
What is a word problem?
A word problem is math and words together to form a statement.

Sample:

If Lisa has two boxes of 20 Maranatha albums, how many albums does she have in all?
 
  • #11
berkeman said:
That's nonsense. Math is used to solve word problems. As we explained to a new member recently, the keys to solving word problems is to figure out good variables to define and then figure out what equations to write to put the word problem into solvable form.

HH/Pre-calculus Math is the right forum.
Learning LaTex will take some time.
 
  • #12
harpazo said:
A word problem is math and words together to form a statement.

Sample:

If Lisa has two boxes of 20 Maranatha albums, how many albums does she have in all?
Who's Lisa?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: rsk
  • #13
PeroK said:
Who's Lisa?
I made up that problem to provide an example.
 
  • #14
PeroK said:
What is a word problem?
If it takes three boxes of beer a day for the constructors to build the house in seven days, how much beer would it take them to build it in six?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Mondayman, Vanadium 50, rsk and 2 others
  • #15
fresh_42 said:
If it takes three boxes of beer a day for the constructors to build the house in seven days, how much beer would it take them to build it in six?
Exactly.
 
  • #16
harpazo said:
Learning LaTex will take some time.
The basics are pretty easy, especially for pre-calculus problems. The advantages are clean fractions, exponents, clear grouping of terms, etc.

Also, you can "Reply" to a post that has LaTeX in it to see how it is formatted (you don't actually click "Post reply", you just use the "Reply" link to get the post's text into the Edit window where you can see the math formatting). You may need to toggle the "BB Code" icon to see the raw LaTeX though (use the "[ ]" icon to the upper right of the Edit window).

For instance, you can click "Reply" on my reply here to se how I did this:

$$I_d = I_s (e^{(\frac{qV_d}{nkT})}-1)$$
Or you can make the LaTeX in-line by using a double-# instead of double-$ like this ##F_{max} = m a_{max}##
 
Last edited:
  • #17
You hire carpenters to work on your home renovation. Their work day starts at 07:00 and they stop at 15:00. The carpenters work 25% faster if they know they will get beer in the afternoon, but after beer they work at only 90% of their normal pace. What time should you bring out the beer?

That one, goes in the HH / calculus section.

EDIT: Sorry, file that one in the poorly written problem bin.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: rsk
  • #18
Here's one:

What famous speech begins with the sum of the squares of the first four prime numbers?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: gmax137
  • #19
Lincoln, Gettysburgh, 1863.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Astronuc and PeroK
  • #20
Here's an infamous one:

 
  • #21
berkeman said:
The basics are pretty easy, especially for pre-calculus problems. The advantages are clean fractions, exponents, clear grouping of terms, etc.

Also, you can "Reply" to a post that has LaTeX in it to see how it is formatted (you don't actually click "Post reply", you just use the "Reply" link to get the post's text into the Edit window where you can see the math formatting). You may need to toggle the "BB Code" icon to see the raw LaTeX though (use the "[ ]" icon to the upper right of the Edit window).

For instance, you can click "Reply" on my reply here to se how I did this:

$$I_d = I_s (e^{(\frac{qV_d}{nkT})}-1)$$
Or you can make the LaTeX in-line by using a double-# instead of double-$ like this ##F_{max} = m a_{max}##
At first, I will be using linear equations like
2x + 4 = 50 or x + 6 = 4x - 7, etc. LaTex is not needed for linear equations.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #22
harpazo said:
At first, I will be using linear equations like
2x + 4 = 50 or x + 6 = 4x - 7, etc. LaTex is not needed for linear equations.
´Sure, but you only need to write ##2x+4=50## or ##x+6=4x-7## instead :wink:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
  • #23
fresh_42 said:
´Sure, but you only need to write ##2x+4=50## or ##x+6=4x-7## instead :wink:
Really? Let me try that.
 

Similar threads

Replies
18
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
775
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K