46
votes
Why do users give answers using alternative method when I'm asking what went wrong with my solution?
Many aspects to this. I agree to a great extent with the points raised in the other answers. Yes, there are XY problems. Yes, the question is not here just for the benefit of the asker, and this shows ...
- 124k
34
votes
Asking "Where did my math go wrong" questions
1) A homework problem (with book citation)
Excellent. This provides part of the context, namely where the problem came from. Sadly, many other people don't even bother to state this, and is one ...
- 54.1k
22
votes
Accepted
How to answer proof-verification questions?
Most of the time it is in my opinion and observation possible to give a more detailed answer.
Points that can often be addressed include:
Suggesting minor improvements of the presentation or ...
quidMod
- 41k
19
votes
Why do users give answers using alternative method when I'm asking what went wrong with my solution?
Not the exact answer to your situation, but it might give some idea, so in that sense, this answer is also an alternative answer to the question that you are asking.
We are not your tutor in here, ...
- 7,141
17
votes
Answering "is my approach correct" with a different proof
Your first example is structured like this:
[mathematical statement]
Is this statement true or false and why?
[attempt at proof]
Is this way of looking at it right or not?
It is entirely fair to ...
- 2,515
17
votes
Accepted
Should I post my attempt as an answer or include it in the question
I don't think it's a good idea to post your attempt at an answer. If you're not sure about it, then it is more a part of the question. If you figure it out after asking, though, go ahead and post your ...
- 26.1k
14
votes
Accepted
Should answering that someone's attempt is correct be posted as a comment?
As detailed elsewhere (see How to answer proof-verification questions?) I do not consider it as best practice to post only "this is correct" as an answer. Usually, something more can be said to make ...
quidMod
- 41k
12
votes
Accepted
Attempting to prove the same thing multiple times -- Request For Rules and Guidelines
The main danger with asking multiple questions on a single theorem is that you could easily write several posts where the effort required from answerers is duplicated from question to question - for ...
- 58.9k
11
votes
Is it okay if I use this site to have someone check my work or give a solution?
It seems that there are two separate issues in what you are asking. So let me address them separately:
Is it okay if I use this site to have someone check my work?
This was discussed here on meta ...
- 50k
10
votes
Best way of asking "check my proof" questions
The best way to ask check-my-proof questions is not to simply ask users to check your proof. In what follows I've been strongly influenced by Raphael's answer on meta.cs.SE, and somewhat echo Qiaochu ...
- 50.2k
10
votes
Accepted
Is my solution correct? Posts
When I first started studying rigorous mathematics I couldn't tell a proof from a carrot. I wasn't in a formal educational institution at the time and relied heavily on feedback from mentors in my ...
- 11.7k
10
votes
Proof verification types of questions
It really depends on where you are in learning mathematics. If you're at the stage where you can look at a proof and be confident about whether it is correct, then asking such questions is not likely ...
- 58.9k
10
votes
What is the protocol for telling others you have found your mistake in your working?
If you haven't yet received an answer, answer it yourself. That way, no one will add an answer which merely expresses what you'd already discovered yourself (which would be a waste of time) and your ...
- 58.9k
10
votes
Can I post questions to ask where I am making a mistake?
Interesting that each of the responses so far, to the posting, have assumed that the OP (i.e. original poster) should take specific actions.
To me this ignores the real problem which is that there is ...
- 24.6k
9
votes
Accepted
"Prove that" vs. "Confirmation of proof" in the title.
In my opinion, no, you do not need to say in the title that it is a proof-verification --- in fact, you do not even need to say that it is a proof.
Phrases such as
"Prove that", "Proving that", "How ...
- 44.2k
8
votes
Proof verification types of questions
No problem whatsoever. Remember to show your work, give context and details. That's all.
PedroMod
- 117k
8
votes
How should questions tagged "solution-verification" be answered?
It's a good question, and one I have no universal response to.
I dislike the flat "Yes, that's correct" response though I have used it.
It's effectively meaningless. At best it is Proof by ...
- 62.8k
7
votes
Answering "is my approach correct" with a different proof
Two aims are involved here: (1) we need discipline on the site to keep answers relevant to the questions to which they are attached; (2) we do not want to make people feel bad about posting a correct ...
- 16.5k
7
votes
Is it okay if I use this site to have someone check my work or give a solution?
The -verification questions are either the the worst ("too localized") or the best (maximum "research effort") type of question on the site. Opinions differ.
The important thing is to add the tag ...
- 34.4k
7
votes
Accepted
Ask for proof verification and ask for other ways to prove the same statement. One or two questions?
I would advice you to put it in one question. You should tag it as proof-verfication and as alternative-proof, along with other tags regarding the field of the question.
If you will have two ...
- 24.4k
7
votes
Are "Verify if I'm correct" questions really on-topic?
(Too long for a comment, but this is not really an answer).
You're right - these are not typically good "archival" questions. Later users benefit somewhat less from stumbling across these questions ...
- 86.7k
7
votes
What is the usefulness of having "proof-verification" and "solution-verification" as different tags?
While there could be some meaningful distinction (in theory) this does not seem to work well in practice. I checked a bit manually, and also observed that 150 questions (this are almost 20 percent) of ...
quidMod
- 41k
7
votes
Accepted
Homework questions allowed?
Yes, as long as you show your work and make sure the question hasn't been asked before!
That is, surf the "set-theory" tag a while, and maybe you'll find answers to your questions. Also, exploit the ...
PedroMod
- 117k
6
votes
Comment or Answer?
What to do when someone ask for a mistake, comment indicating where he made the mistake or answer indicating where he made the mistake?
If what they seek is the mistake, and you wish to state what ...
- 31.8k
6
votes
Can I post questions to ask where I am making a mistake?
I believe these questions are useful, but you need to be careful, because they are easily mistaken for duplicates of existing questions. I would suggest this format for your future questions (and, ...
- 2,515
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