North Olmsted High School

    Mathematics Homework Guidelines

Write your name, date and assignment clearly at the top of the first page.  If you use additional pages, put your name or initials at the top of every page.

Use standard-sized paper (8.5” x 11”) with lines or standard-sized graph paper. 

Write out the original problem that you are working on, including all diagrams, tables and figures.  Except in the case of word problems that are too long to write out, use the problem solving plan.

Write legibly (suitably large and suitably dark); if the grader can’t read your answer – it is wrong.

Problems need to be worked out vertically, with all work continuing down the paper.  The next problem should be written directly below the previous problem.

Do not squeeze the problems together, with one problem running into the next.  Provide sufficient space for each problem, with at least one blank line between one problem and the next.  Leave appropriate space for corrections and/or omitted problems.

 For tables and graphs, use a ruler to draw the straight lines.  Graphs and tables should have proper labels for the points of interest, including scale, axes, and column and row headers.  Use an appropriate and consistent scale on the axes.

Show your work.  This does not mean just copying the problem from the book and the answer from the back.  Show all the steps that go between the question and the answer.  Show how you arrived at your answer.

 If the problem asks you to Explain or write in your own words, then copying the answer from the back of the book, or the definition from the chapter, is unacceptable.  You should write the answer in your own words, not copied from the text.

Put your final answer at the end of your work, and mark it clearly by circling, boxing, or underlining the answer.  Label your answer appropriately, using appropriate units

You should use your instructor as a study aid, in addition to your textbook, study guides, notes, and tutors.  Your work is much easier to grade when you have made your work and reasoning clear.  In addition, difficulties that you may have experienced in completing the assignment can be better explained to you if you have made your reasoning clear.  More importantly, completely worked and corrected homework exercises make an excellent study guide for quizzes, tests and exams.  If you develop good habits while working on homework, you will generally perform better on tests.  The intention of these guidelines is to provide you with a framework of communication between yourself and your teacher.  This should allow you to communicate better, and so that you succeed both in this mathematics course and in future mathematical communication with co-workers and clients.