Do you answer every problem in textbooks?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the approach to solving problems in textbooks, particularly in the context of learning and reviewing material in physics. Participants share their strategies regarding how many problems they attempt to solve and the factors influencing their decisions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that it is impractical to answer every problem in a textbook due to time constraints, advocating for a selective approach based on understanding and areas needing improvement.
  • Others argue that the level of the textbook influences their approach, with graduate or advanced undergraduate texts warranting more comprehensive problem-solving compared to lower division texts, where only the hardest problems may be attempted.
  • A participant expresses concern about potentially missing important concepts if they do not attempt to solve every problem, indicating a desire for thoroughness in their review process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that answering every problem is not feasible, but there are competing views on how to prioritize which problems to solve based on textbook level and personal understanding. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to problem-solving in textbooks.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying definitions of what constitutes "enough" understanding and the subjective nature of problem difficulty across different textbooks.

preceptor1919
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When trying to learn/review by using textbooks? do you usually answer everything or you just answer till you think you understand well enough?
 
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There isn't enough time in the world to answer every single problem you find in a textbook. Generally, I just answer a few from each section than direct my study depending on which areas need more work. After that, I move to the challenge problems.

How many you should do from each section depends on how long the problems take, how well you know the material, etc.
 
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preceptor1919 said:
When trying to learn/review by using textbooks? do you usually answer everything ...

If this is a graduate level textbook or advanced undergraduate level textbook then yes (with the exception of Jackson and MTW). If it's a lower division textbook then there are way too many problems on average to even attempt solving them all; in such a case I just try to solve the hardest ones.
 
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Ok thanks for the advice. I was trying to review the fundamentals of physics(because I haven't done any physics in a year) through University Physics by young and freedman and I got "I know how to solve this but should answer anyway just in case" and this became a cycle but I thought that maybe I would miss something important if I don't solve everything. Thanks guys
 

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