One Small Problem With That

(I’m giving an exam to my students. About 20 minutes into the exam, a student approaches my desk.)

Student: “I’m having trouble with the answer; it’s really small!”

Me: “Lots of our examples have really small numbers; that’s not necessarily a problem.”

Student: “Hmm, okay.”

(He sits back down, and about 15 minutes later, comes back.)

Student: “I’m still not sure I’m right. Could you check over my work and tell me if my answer’s right?”

Me: “You want me to tell you if you’re getting the right answer?”

Student: “Yeah, could you?”

Me: “No, I can’t give you the answer during an exam.”

Student: “Why not?”