Q: What is the proper way to respond to homework questions on math.stackexchange?
A:
- Consider the guidelines given for askers of homework questions. If the question apparently lacks previous work or thought behind it, consider requesting a revision that follows these guidelines more closely.
- Give the question asker a chance to respond before voting to close.
- Don't post complete solutions to questions labeled as homework. The person who asked won't learn anything, and it will encourage more people to use the site as a free homework service. It's much better to give a hint, so that the asker may find the right direction.
- It is encouraged to give detailed examples, but change the problem so they can't just directly copy it
- Be polite and encouraging! Nothing makes people hate math more than having smart people tell them they suck at it.
Related: http://meta.math.stackexchange.com/questions/106/what-is-the-proper-way-to-handle-homework-questions
http://meta.stackoverflow.com/questions/10811/how-to-ask-and-answer-homework-questions
http://meta.math.stackexchange.com/questions/415/homework-questions-avoiding-giving-a-complete-solution