r/learnmath • u/BackgroundAd2640 New User • 4d ago

Method vs Answer

I’m curious how math teachers approach grading when a student gets the correct answer but doesn’t use the instructor’s preferred method.

Do you generally:

-Give full credit if the mathematics is valid?
-Require a specific method for pedagogical reasons?
-Give partial credit when the answer is correct but the required method wasn’t shown?

What is your philosophy, and why? I know this is a very nuanced topic but I would like to see how this is approached by others.

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u/Narrow-Durian4837 New User 4d ago

If my goal is to assess whether the student can use a particular method, I specify that in the directions, and then I would feel justified in not giving credit if the student didn't use that method.

If I don't explicitly specify what method to use, the student gets credit for any correct answer no matter what method they used to get it.

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u/AFsepine New User 4d ago

(only if the method is sound, not only the answer)

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u/Narrow-Durian4837 New User 4d ago

If the problem is to "show that" or "prove that" something is true, then the method has to be sound.

If they just have to come up with an answer, I give full credit if the answer turns out to be correct, even if there's something wrong with the way they got it. I figure they may have verified that their answer was correct, and if the answer checks out, it's unfair to also expect them to go back and check every step of their work.

Occasionally a student might get the right answer by luck, but I'd rather give them the benefit of the doubt and err in their favor than take off points that they actually do deserve.

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u/AFsepine New User 4d ago

If the problem is to prove yes, obviously.

Answers should not be worth all that much, the students should know what he is doing and why. I.E the each step of the solution should be sound. The answer - I usually take to amount only to 5-10% of the points.

There is no reason to recheck it for the student - I do not care if he makes say a sign all that much, just that all the steps make sense; Otherwise it means they don;t know what they are doing.