We learned to walk, to speak, etc. by practice. We learn swimming,  driving, etc. by practice. And we learn mathematics by practice! The exercises make you familiar to the fundamental concepts and basic techniques and deepen your understanding. Their importance can never be over-emphasized. Your analytical skill and conceptual understanding gained through homework exercises will be tested on exams. If you are uncomfortable with how to solve any of these kinds of problems, please seek help either from your fellow students or  from  me. Please feel free to talk to me whenever you have problem with the course. It is my most important job to help you overcome difficulties.  I enjoy it very much as a caring teacher!

• Write up your work clearly! It at least saves your time upon review.
• Be deliberate when solving problems! Make every step consciously and think about why it is a step in the right direction. After doing this for a while you will realize that you have developed  new useful reflexes.
• Once you have solved a problem, list the ideas you have used and decide whether the answer is reasonable BEFORE looking in the back of the book.
• You are encouraged to do some work in groups. Explaining ideas to other people helps clarify them for you too.

E-mail: hliu@iastate.edu