MyLab Math “View an Example” Tool: How It Works & Common Pitfalls
The “View an Example” tool in MyLab Math opens a fully worked sample of a similar problem.
It shows the method step by step (usually with different numbers than your assignment), so you can mirror the approach on your own item.
This post explains how it works, where you’ll find it, and how to use it efficiently—plus the trade-offs students report.
MyLab Math hub.
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Table of Contents
How “View an Example” Works
- Opens a guided panel: When you click the button, a new window or sidebar appears with a worked solution.
- Different numbers: The example uses its own values, so you learn the method—not just the final answer.
- Step-by-step solution: It shows the complete process, often with annotations or highlighted rules.
- Apply it yourself: You’re expected to copy the approach, but solve your assigned problem with its unique numbers.
Key point: “View an Example” is about seeing a method in action. It won’t hand you credit directly, but it can teach you how to structure your own solution.
Where You’ll See It
- Homework assignments: The most common spot—especially on concept-heavy problems.
- Study Plan practice: Occasionally offered as a reinforcement tool during personalized practice sets.
- Quizzes & exams: Usually disabled, since instructors often remove aids in graded tests.
Not every problem type has a “View an Example” button. Some instructors disable it entirely, or only allow it on select modules.
Pros of Using “View an Example”
- Step-by-step clarity: Useful for breaking down complex problems into digestible steps.
- Different numbers = stronger learning: Forces you to grasp the method instead of copying answers.
- Good for self-study: Especially when reviewing outside of class time.
- Helps with formatting: Shows how Pearson expects answers to be entered (notation, rounding, units).
Limitations & Frustrations
- No direct credit: You still need to solve your assigned problem separately.
- Time-consuming: Reading full solutions can feel slow, especially under deadlines.
- Variable detail: Later modules sometimes skip steps, assuming prior knowledge.
- Not always available: Instructors can disable the feature or restrict it to certain topics.
Many students love the clarity—but others complain that examples are incomplete or too different from their assigned problems.
What Students Say (Reddit Reactions)
Clear, step-by-step sample (what it is)
“The ‘view an example’ one is just an example of a similar question with the steps.”
Why this matters: Great plain-English definition. It sets expectations that you’ll see the method for a similar problem—not a shortcut to credit.
Often available — and actually helpful
“On 90% of their problems, you can view an example that shows you how to work the problem and explain it.”
Takeaway: Many courses include this aid widely, making it a reliable way to learn the setup and the reasoning.
“Use your numbers the same way”
“There’s almost always the ‘view an example’ tab… you can use your numbers the same way the example shows how to solve it.”
Tip: Transfer the steps, not the numbers. After reading, immediately apply the method to your randomized version.
Great for learning the required format
“Clicking on ‘View an example’ can give you an idea of the way they want the answers formatted without marking your answer wrong.”
Formatting win: Use examples to match Pearson’s notation, rounding, and units—common causes of “near-miss” wrong answers.
…but sometimes details are missing
“When you get farther into the course… if you try to view an example, they don’t show you all the steps because they assume you should know those techniques.”
Expectation check: In later modules, examples may skip algebra you’re expected to know—have a textbook or notes handy.
Quality varies by problem/course
“If you go into view an example… it leaves out all the relevant information to solving it.”
Reality: Not every example is perfect. If one is thin, try a different problem or pair it with “Similar Question.”
Sometimes the button is scarce or disabled
“For me only like 10% of assigned questions have view an example … in another class it didn’t exist at all.”
Why: Availability is instructor-controlled and varies by question type—don’t panic if you don’t see it on every item.
Used well, it can boost grades
“I use view an example constantly and take extremely descriptive notes. It takes a little longer but I’ve gotten A’s on all my math tests so far.”
Pro move: Treat it like a mini-lesson: take notes, then immediately try a similar question to lock in the method.
Tips for Using “View an Example” Effectively
- Take notes: Write out the method, not just the numbers, so you can reuse the process on your own problem.
- Compare carefully: Check what’s different between the example’s numbers and your assignment’s version.
- Use it early: Don’t wait until your final attempt—learn the process before burning tries.
- Pair with Similar Question: After viewing an example, click “Similar Question” to practice right away.
- Check formatting: Pay attention to how answers are written—notation and rounding are common pitfalls.
Subject-Specific Help
Examples are most useful when you already know the basics of the topic. If one subject is slowing you down, start here:
Algebra
Precalculus
Trigonometry
Calculus
Geometry
Quantitative Reasoning
When to Get Extra Help
If “View an Example” still leaves you confused, or you’re spending hours re-reading solutions without improving, it may be time to get support.
For platform-specific guidance, start at the
MyLab Math hub.
For done-for-you support, explore
Do MyMathLab for Me.
FAQ: “View an Example” in MyLab Math
Does “View an Example” give me the final answer?
How is it different from “Help Me Solve This”?
Why don’t I see the button on every problem?
Can I rely on it to prepare for exams?
Why do some examples skip steps?
Use “View an Example” to Learn Smarter
The “View an Example” tool is designed to show you the method behind the problem—not to hand you the answer.
When used well, it can clarify tricky steps, reinforce formatting, and give you confidence for similar questions.
But remember: examples often use different numbers, and the feature may be limited or disabled in exams.
To keep building mastery, pair “View an Example” with tools like Help Me Solve This and Similar Question.
And if you find yourself spending hours re-reading examples without progress, you can always lean on expert support.
For more platform-specific guidance, visit the
MyLab Math hub or, if you’re in a statistics course, the
MyStatLab hub.