To assist you in developing good problem solving skills, you must follow this format when solving problems on quizzes, homework and exams.

1. Draw a picture – even if it seems silly, a picture helps me understand what you’re thinking when I try to follow your math.

2. Work mathematics down the page, not across it. For example:
 

3. Don’t plug in numbers until the final step. You’re more likely to make mistakes if you have to copy over the numbers each time.

4. When you do plug in numbers, you must include the units. 

5. When you arrive at your final answer, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are the units appropriate for the quantity? (i.e. is mass in kg?)
• Is the number you got physically reasonable (i.e. did you get 1.06 x 10²⁰ kg for the mass of a person?)
• You will lose points on exams and quizzes if you write as a final answer something with incorrect units, or a number that is utterly ridiculous for the physical quantity being calculated.

6. Work neatly and clearly. Use words to explain to me, the grader, what you have done. If you end up with an answer you know can’t be right, but can’t find your mistake, write down why you know the answer is not correct.