Why do people answer simple math questions for people?

Question

Why not just tell the person how to figure it out instead of giving the answer? It doesn't help anyone if they don't actually learn anything.

Bosslady:

If you're actually interested in me telling you, you might actually come back here and read this. That would be cool.

Firstly, it's "You're" not "Your."

I think one reason why people do it is because they know the answer and it's a mini ego boost to give the correct answer.

But, the reason why I asked this question is because I think it's not helping people if they simply get the answer to a question which anyone in the world should be able to answer. Some question along the lines of a Grade 4 math question.

Have a nice day.

Answer 1

What is simple to you may be quite challenging to others. Do you know the best chemical to use to control dollar spot on bentgrass golf greens? It's a simple question.

Answer 2

You've asked a fair question, so I hope you'll accept my answer as a sincere one.

One thing to say is that "simple" is often relative. Sure, there are probably people who would gladly type all of the questions in their homework into Y! Answers if they thought people would do them. And there are people who value points enough that they would answer them. But in my experience, if someone doesn't know how to do a problem, then explaining how to do it still might not do much good.

One of the strategies involved in helping people to become better problem-solvers is to model or demonstrate correct behaviors.

If you look back at a number of the answers that I provide, I try to go through the process step-by-step in providing a worked solution. My hope is that people can use my solution as a model for doing other problems on their own. Even though some people might just want others to do their homework, I have to be something of an optimist and hope that other people will simply take a worked solution and then try to do other problems like it on their own.

I'd be willing to guess that other people who follow the same approach that I do also have the same hope for how their work is used.

I'm interested in seeing what other people think. Great question!

Answer 3

simple or hard question is a relative term
simple for some is real hard for some others
when you are asked to help you help fully
you do not want todecide for the other person.
the asker is the best judge how hewantsto take the answer.
whether to just take the hint from the answr and proceed
or go over the entireanswer.
sometimes rather many times the asker getsto know how to write the steps whenthe full answer is given.
so it is a matter of opinion how it should be

Answer 4

what u do is upload the exponets at the same time as u multiplay subtract at the same time as u divide its really basic im in seventh grade and would do it ok right here we bypass 25a+15a(2)-40 because the 25a dont have a exponte say to the fist means and the upload the exponets so 2+a million is 3 no longer upload 25 and 15 40 so now you've 40a(3)minus40 and 40-40=0 so that you r left with a(3) i'm hoping you note of better no longer playstation if i did it top can u upload me as best answer thanks wish i helped P.S. what grade r u in if this sound top to u i imagine it really is

Answer 5

It' simpler to them I'd suppose. They'd rather give the answer for a simple two points proving they know the answer as an egoboost as well, than go through a long explaination about how to solve it.

Answer 6

Perhaps for the same reason people answer yours-for the 2 points.

If you don't want to give an answer, the option is open to skip the 2 points.

Answer 7

If anything, it's worth 2 points

Answer 8

Because some people don't know the answer

Answer 9

maybe they don't realize it doesn't help
maybe they think the person is looking for the answer
maybe they want to show how smart they are
maybe they don't want to type out an explanantion of how to get there.

Answer 10

I agree with you 100%.

I always give tips. If I give an answer, this is a rare event.

Guido