11
$\begingroup$

Is this question Is $(k \cdot f)(x) := f(kx)$ the scalar multiplication of some vector space? a PSQ*? Is there any thing the OP should have done better?

I ask because a user commented Please refrain from answering PSQ as per site policy below my answer, and that comment got two upvotes. Which means three people agree. My answer has 3 downvotes, maybe by exactly these people. That user also commented (which is now in chat): this question shows absolutely no effort beyond 'pointwise addition does not work'.

Also, the question currently has two close votes, and 8 downvotes (albeit much more upvotes). Actually, it has been closed before, but it was reopened, and then suddenly many upvotes came in, because presumably people realized that it is an interesting and well-formulated question.

I also think it is not a PSQ (otherwise I would not have posted an answer), and I outlined the reasons here in chat. But maybe I am missing something? Maybe the mentioned user can also explain their reasons here if they want to.

*PSQ = problem-statement question, i.e. a question where the OP does nothing more besides stating the problem. This is a typical example of a PSQ.

$\endgroup$
4
  • 13
    $\begingroup$ Be aware that this thread was on the Network Hot List for a long period. Votes in such hot threads can be very strange. For example, I recall seeing some users remark that they downvoted some answers because they didn't think they deserved so many (likely drive-by) upvotes. Further, PSQ judgment may also be skewed by drive-by users. $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 26 at 8:57
  • $\begingroup$ @BillDubuque Thank you for the comment. It seems you also have a stance on this, and I would be very happy if you answer. $\endgroup$ Commented Feb 26 at 17:58
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ I could point you to your own answer here for hints on why people perceive there to be a problem with your question. I don't think there is any problem with your question, but only because I disagree with that answer of yours. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 5 at 20:41
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ Maybe more constructively, this is part of the same fundamental problem as the context discussion. Everyone agrees that some kind of context is necessary but everyone has a different idea about what that means. The site's culture doesn't include pinning down what the rules actually mean, so everyone interprets them differently. This makes asking questions into a hopeless game of roulette where you can't predict whether it will be closed or not because it's entirely dependent on who sees it - there are no consistent rules. Change that culture and these problems will stop. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 5 at 20:43

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
26
$\begingroup$

I find the resort to abbreviation PSQ in many discussions here to be dissatisfying, as it does not supply the essential criticism underlying a request for Questions to be improved.

For me the issues are of context and sufficient clarity to admit a mathematically reasoned solution. I had seen this Question previously and thought about it.

For context the OP opens with "I am trying to come up with some difficult problems that test understanding of the vector space axioms. The following is a problem I came up with that I cannot solve."

It is sufficient context for me. An attempt to construct a novel exercise is subject to various pitfalls, but there's nothing intrinsically off-topic about such attempts.

$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ "I am trying to come up with some difficult problems that test understanding of the vector space axioms. The following is a problem I came up with that I cannot solve." would also make a great preamble to a question seeking solutions for a take-home exam. Call me cynical, but a student needing tough linear algebra questions need only look at a few different LA books -- Hoffman and Kunze comes to mind! -- rather than trying to invent challenging questions. This appears to me to be a small variant of the "I stumbled upon..." introduction. $\endgroup$ Commented Mar 10 at 20:08

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.