Homework in LaTeX

Due: October 16 by 11:59 PM ET · 5% of course grade

1 Purpose

LaTeX is the standard way physicists write anything with equations in it: homework, lab reports, papers, theses, and grant proposals. Learning it now pays off in every technical course you take after this one.

For this assignment, you will take a homework problem you have already solved in another course and write up the solution as a clean LaTeX note in Overleaf.

2 What to Submit

  • A LaTeX note presenting one homework problem and your solution, submitted as a PDF named Lastname-Firstname-LaTeX.pdf.
  • The .tex source file for your note.
  • Upload both files directly to this Canvas assignment by the deadline.

3 Expectations

Choose one problem. Pick a homework problem from any technical science, engineering, or mathematics course you are taking this semester. State the course in your PDF, for example “PHYS 2211: Introductory Physics I.” Choose a problem with enough steps to be worth writing up, but still short enough to fit onto 1-2 pages.

Structure your note with the following sections:

Section Purpose
Problem Statement The full problem, stated clearly enough that a reader does not need the original assignment.
Solution Your solution, step by step. Define every variable, explain each step in words, and write key equations as numbered display equations.
Interpretation What the final answer means: check its units, whether its size is reasonable, and how it behaves in limiting or special cases.

Use LaTeX properly. Your note should compile without errors, use inline math for symbols in sentences, and use display environments for equations that deserve their own line. Figures and tables are welcome if they help, but are not required.

4 Helpful Resources