For help with the math:
The tutors at the QSR are great, and they will happily help you think through the math that goes into a proof. In order to make sure that you are getting the best possible math help, here are some expectations about the kind of help you'll get at the QSR when it comes to your proofs assignments. We (the math faculty) ask the tutors to help you with the math, but not the writing, part of the proofs.
Here are some guidelines for working on proofs at the QSR:
- No working out the math in Overleaf at the QSR! (It's your job to typeset the math nicely after you have figured it out.)
- As a corollary: you may only work things out using on paper (or whiteboard, or otherwise "by hand") with a tutor at the QSR. Why? Usually, thinking through a problem and understanding what's happening is necessary before you can write it up, and when you write it up, it may look a lot different than what you worked out on paper first.
- Figuring out what properties you are using in a proof is a math problem; figuring out what order to write equations or how to break up the math and exposition is a writing challenge. Make sure you are asking about math, not writing.
As long as you don't abuse the goodwill of the QSR tutors and director, you can also ask simple LaTeX questions if you can't find an answer on the internet or elsewhere. (Many of the tutors are also LaTeX gurus, and they can help troubleshoot your code, but don't forget that Google is a great debugger, too!)
Conversely... for help with the writing:
If you've figured out the math but you're having trouble writing it up, make an appointment to talk to a Writing Center peer counselor! There are usually a couple tutors at the Writing Center that have been recommended by math faculty, and we ask that they help you with the writing, but not the math, part of the proofs.
The Upshot: You can use both centers for an assignment to get help with the math and the writing! But, you can't use one center for both.
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