Re: In need of an answer key

[trappe@physics.utexas.edu (Karl Trappe)]

James: No problem about the list answer, that's where I sent my response to
you.  I think it is prudent to ask anyone requesting answer keys their
identity.  I checked with our undergraduate secretary yesterday, and there
was one solution manual, but I did not identify it as new or old.  If you
hadn't already gotten a copy, I would have been happy to send it, if it
were a spare.

I had a textbook sales mail order company as an entrepreneural
undergraduate.  My fellow students ordered their books from me, rather than
from the bookstore, and we split the profit 50-50.  Publishers *generally*
wanted identity as a faculty member before sending keys, but that was
somewhat misguided.  Most students can get a solution manual faster than
faculty.  The rule of thumb is that the solution manual is in the
fraternity files within 6 months after it is published.

Since faculty assume that the students cannot get the manual, they play
right into the hands of the "buy your way through school" boys.  Usually,
the solution manual gets placed on reserve in the library somewhere in the
country.  Once that happens, it is xeroxed and sent to fraternities
elsewhere by their brothers.  Each fraternity assigns "solution gatherers"
for any course taught.  Generally these nice kids just steal high grade
homework from the return boxes, but getting a solution manual is a real
bonus!

At the graduat level, the Hong Kong and Taiwan presses sell complete
annotated solution manuals to nearly every textbook we use in the sciences.
These are illegal to ship to the US, since they violate copyright, but I
have personally seen the Jackson E&M solution manual, and several others.

Regardless of what we think "about these students not learning", we still
have to give them their high marks on homework, and we often overlook the
fact that some of the problems are never solved by the rest of our students
who cannot get the manual.  That usually translates to solution manual
possessors getting higher marks on the exams which we make up from the
problems we assign from the text for which some have the solutions and some
do not.

This is no spam response, just a reminder, as we start the new academic
year, that an osterich pose will not avoid our own culpability.  Homework
solutions are *not* secure. Karl


> Thank you to all that responded to my request. I have a copy of the answer
> key being sent to me.
> There was concern that I was  a student, be assured that at 50 years of age
> I am not a high school student. I did attempt to get the answer key  from
> the publisher. Since it is not the current edition, it was not available. If
> anyone wishes to call my school, the number is 603-352-6575.
> I am not attempting to start a Spam war here, so please, everyone take it
> easy. Maybe it is best if we challenge such requests to make sure it is on
> the up and up.
> Also, noticed that I sent a personal message (Karl Trappe) to the entire
> list, I apologize for this.
> Thank you,
> Jim Harris
> jharris@monad.net
> PS I will now go back to reading messages.
> Jim

Dr. Karl I. Trappe                              Desk Phone:  (512) 471-4152
Physics Dept, Mail Stop C-1600                  Demo Office: (512) 471-5411
The University of Texas at Austin               Home Phone:  (512) 264-1616
Austin, Texas 78712-1081