Best Platforms for Posting Word Problems on Physics Forums

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The discussion centers on the appropriate forum for posting word problems in a homework context. Participants emphasize that while word problems often lack the precision of formulas, they are integral to mathematical problem-solving. The use of LaTeX for formatting equations is encouraged for clarity, although some contributors express a preference for posting word problems without equations. It is noted that the Homework Help forum does not have a dedicated section for word problems at the high school and undergraduate levels, leading to confusion about where to post such content. The conversation also touches on the importance of defining variables and writing equations to solve word problems effectively. Overall, the consensus leans towards using the Homework Help/Pre-calculus Math forum for these types of inquiries, while acknowledging the learning curve associated with LaTeX formatting.
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Which PF is best fitted for posting word problems?

Thanks
 
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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:
 
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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?
 
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  • #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?
 
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  • #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}##
 
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  • #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.
 
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  • #18
Here's one:

What famous speech begins with the sum of the squares of the first four prime numbers?
 
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  • #19
Lincoln, Gettysburgh, 1863.
 
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  • #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.
 
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  • #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:
 
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  • #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.
 
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