Perhaps we could make this “sticky” somewhere to toss out to the kids coming here for homework help:
OK, but first answer me this: Train A leaves Chicago at 1:15 P.M. traveling south at 105 MPH. Train B leaves Tampa at 1:30 P.M. traveling north at 125 MPH. Now, factoring in for wind resistance and your average Godzilla/Mech-Godzilla battle, what will my tax return for this year be? Please present the answer in 500 words. Oh and make it professional, my teacher is a bear when it comes to slang.
I think any dopers who are so inclined should have the opportunity to assist with thorny homework questions if someone requests it. I think a blanket prohibition does not reflect our curious nature and helpful spirit.
There’s a difference between “Do my homework for me!” and “I’ve worked really hard on this problem, and here’s what I’ve done so far, but I’m stuck. Can someone help me out?”. The first does merit a blanket prohibition, while the second doesn’t seem like a problem at all.
I feel our approach to the person asking about HAMLET was appropriate. I’ll see if I can find a link.
I only have one question…
What’s the capital of Kenya?
I just know someone out there has the answer.
Nairobi. But you didn’t hear it from me!
And now, for an honest question! I never learned how to do the kind of question Amp posted… could someone teach me? Well, up to the point before wind and Godzilla, of course.
::scribbles “Nairobi” on her loose-leaf notebook paper::
Thanks, Q.E.D.! You wouldn’t happen to know anything about adding fractions, would you?
Yes, but since my fingers didn’t grow back after I tried working out 2/3 + 5/8, I don’t do them any more.
:eek:
Guess I shouldn’t ask for help in my Sex Ed course.
Well, that’s a different story! 
Whew! That’s a relief. I was ready to chip in for a prosthesis!
I don’t mind answering homework questions which reflect that someone is either really struggling or needs help. I’ve critiqued essays and stuff for students too. I’ve even asked for help when there was a grammar issue I simply could not grasp (and yeah some dork told me to do my homework somewhere else).
I cannot see that asking a question which happens to be part of homework is some heinous crime when people can ask the most bizarre of questions here and be answered.
Doing people’s homework for them is a different matter entirely.
I must say, I kind of got a kick out of the descriptions of Dill Harris in this thread. I say we stick with that approach.
Q.E.D., the answer is 31/24. And I did it in my head.
Baker you suck! 
Robin, who is struggling to remember the two years of first-year algebra she took in high school so she doesn’t feel like a complete retard at her placement exam this weekend.
Having had about five minutes or so to think about this (and let the caffeine kick in), I want to apologize for the use of the word “retard” in my above post. It was not my intention to offend; merely to convey my lack of ability in mathematics.
Robin
That’s okay, Robin, we cut the folks on the short bus a little slack.