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Algorithms by Jeff Erickson

jeffe.cs.illinois.edu

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Re: Algorithms by Jeff Erickson

#41

Post by TheTrotters »

asicsp wrote: post #5

From https://jeffe.cs.illinois.edu/teaching/algorithms/hwex.html#... > Please do not ask me for solutions. With very rare exceptions, I will say no, even if you are an instructor. I recognize that my stance limits the utility of these materials, especially for self-learners, but I'm trying to optimize the learning experience of my own students at Illinois. The point of homework is not to solve that particular homewor…

I hate this attitude. It punishes students (and self-learners) who want to be as good as possible and who’d use solutions to get fast feedback.

The right thing to do is to publish detailed solutions to textbook problems and create new problems for HWs.

Re: Algorithms by Jeff Erickson

#42

Post by avindroth »

aspaceman wrote: post #37
JoshTriplett wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I was asked multiple times for solutions to my self-pub ebooks that I relented. You could always publish the solutions in a separate paid ebook. If people want to be able to check their own answers, or they want to use the exercises to set homework and make it easier to grade, they might be willing to pay you for them.

> they might be willing to pay you for them. I think we have some differences of opinion about the point of students not having the solutions. (Hint: Some people arent as greedy as you)

Ad hominem much?

Re: Algorithms by Jeff Erickson

#43

Post by jrib »

Robotbeat wrote: post #20
asicsp wrote: post #5

From https://jeffe.cs.illinois.edu/teaching/algorithms/hwex.html#... > Please do not ask me for solutions. With very rare exceptions, I will say no, even if you are an instructor. I recognize that my stance limits the utility of these materials, especially for self-learners, but I'm trying to optimize the learning experience of my own students at Illinois. The point of homework is not to solve that particular homewor…

My preferred approach is when solutions to odd numbered problems are available. This is especially helpful years hence when help may not be immediately available.

Yep, I think this is a good middle ground. By all means encourage students to churn when solving a problem, but you can get stuck. Actually reading and following a solution to a similar problem can provide some insight.

Re: Algorithms by Jeff Erickson

#44

Post by comeonseriously »

TheTrotters wrote: post #41
asicsp wrote: post #5

From https://jeffe.cs.illinois.edu/teaching/algorithms/hwex.html#... > Please do not ask me for solutions. With very rare exceptions, I will say no, even if you are an instructor. I recognize that my stance limits the utility of these materials, especially for self-learners, but I'm trying to optimize the learning experience of my own students at Illinois. The point of homework is not to solve that particular homewor…

I hate this attitude. It punishes students (and self-learners) who want to be as good as possible and who’d use solutions to get fast feedback. The right thing to do is to publish detailed solutions to textbook problems and create new problems for HWs.

"The right thing to do..."

No. He's the author, this is his choice. People who don't take his course don't have to use the book.

Re: Algorithms by Jeff Erickson

#45

Post by ArcMex »

Doesn't hurt to have Possible Solutions to the exercises to questions that don't have singular, definitive answers. I wouldn't even add answers to questions on definitions as those can be referenced in the text itself or the notes taken down. But filtering through a map can be done in many ways and a Possible Solution is an interesting way to appreciate a different point of view. But that means the learner, self-taught or otherwise, still should have the discipline to at least to arrive at solution themselves before reviewing the author's selected one(s).

Re: Algorithms by Jeff Erickson

#46

Post by ArcMex »

ArcMex wrote: post #45

Doesn't hurt to have Possible Solutions to the exercises to questions that don't have singular, definitive answers. I wouldn't even add answers to questions on definitions as those can be referenced in the text itself or the notes taken down. But filtering through a map can be done in many ways and a Possible Solution is an interesting way to appreciate a different point of view. But that means the learner, self-taug…

Pardon the typos, mobile.

Re: Algorithms by Jeff Erickson

#47

Post by mhh__ »

comeonseriously wrote: post #44
TheTrotters wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hate this attitude. It punishes students (and self-learners) who want to be as good as possible and who’d use solutions to get fast feedback. The right thing to do is to publish detailed solutions to textbook problems and create new problems for HWs.

"The right thing to do..." No. He's the author, this is his choice. People who don't take his course don't have to use the book.

Poor logic. I don't have add tests to my code, after all they're free not to merge, but I should.

Exercises with no solutions are very hard for people learning away from traditional academia - I haven't read this book so I don't know what they're like, but in a physics books it's often common to add questions that take fairly deep conceptual understanding which if you don't click with the book means you're totally out of action until you find somewhere else to learn from.

Re: Algorithms by Jeff Erickson

#48

Post by comeonseriously »

mhh__ wrote: post #47
comeonseriously wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"The right thing to do..." No. He's the author, this is his choice. People who don't take his course don't have to use the book.

Poor logic. I don't have add tests to my code, after all they're free not to merge, but I should. Exercises with no solutions are very hard for people learning away from traditional academia - I haven't read this book so I don't know what they're like, but in a physics books it's often common to add questions that take fairly deep conceptual understanding which if you don't click with the book means you're totally ou…

Again, you don't have to use this book. There are hundreds of books on algorithms, many of which have solutions for people who need them. Getting all pissy with the author because he doesn't provide them is sad and not neccessary.

Re: Algorithms by Jeff Erickson

#49

Post by dkfjs »

Not proving solutions to textbooks seems to be a common theme in mathematics and theoretical computer science. It makes it difficult for those outside of the traditional classroom to learn the material. Instead textbook writers seem to have this adversarial approach against readers, thinking they’ll “cheat themselves” if they look up solutions or attempt to verify their work. Experts make mistakes, beginners would presumably make even more mistakes. Without a feedback mechanism beginners can’t truly know whether their logic is impeccable or if they have a subtle error that they themselves cannot detect. They could easily fool themselves that they have correct understanding.

Due to that I will not recommend this current book to any colleagues.

If you want an example of a fellow hacker news member that did things right, check out http://joshua.smcvt.edu/linearalgebra/

He provides solutions and lecture videos... this is truly a democratization approach to learning and a model that other academics should follow.

Re: Algorithms by Jeff Erickson

#50

Post by nickkell »

I'm a developer, but don't have the foggiest idea of how to prove something by induction. Is this the kind of book I should look at? Or is there something that should be taken as a prerequisite?
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