What to do about textbooks with solutions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by learners of real analysis, specifically regarding textbooks that do not provide solutions to exercises. Participants explore various strategies for verifying their work and gaining assistance with problem-solving.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Homework-related, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over the lack of solutions in C.C. Pugh's real analysis book, questioning how to confirm the correctness of their proofs.
  • Another participant suggests posting questions along with solutions in the homework forums to receive feedback, emphasizing the importance of clarity in communication.
  • A different participant raises concerns about the inefficiency of seeking help for many problems and proposes forming a study group to compare answers, which may help reduce mistakes.
  • One participant recommends a specific website that offers some solutions to selected problems from the textbook, although they note it may be disorganized.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the challenges posed by textbooks without solutions and propose various methods for seeking help, but there is no consensus on the best approach, as different strategies are suggested.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention time constraints and the potential inefficiency of certain methods, indicating that the effectiveness of proposed solutions may depend on individual circumstances.

imranq
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edit: whoops, the title should read, "what to do about textbooks with no solutions"

So I'm trying to learn real analysis (using C.C. Pugh's book) and its going alright until I hit the exercises. There are no solutions! How am I supposed to know I proved something correctly? Is there a website with some proofs written down?
 
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If you're not sure, you can always post the question along with your solution to the homework forums here. Most likely you will get a response, if you take the time to express it clearly.
 
The only problem with that option is time. For people going through many problems, this becomes inneficient. Perhaps you could try to find a study group? Working on the same problem separately and then comparing answers will greatly reduce the amount of mistakes you do. You could always go see one of your professors (If they're willing to spare the time) so that they can check over your work.

If not, then, as the poster above said, post your questions here.



-F
 
Check out this http://www.ms.unimelb.edu.au/~rubin/math127/"

it's a little disorganized but it does post some solutions to selected problems from the text.
 
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