Solving homework exercises shapes the daily routine of students in mathematics and mathematics-related subjects. However, little is known so far about the characteristics of tasks at the university level. To approach this issue, school and university mathematics were compared in their ideal-typical forms, and the functions of tasks in both institutions were described. Based on existing empirical studies on task characteristics in schools and universities, a comprehensive instrument was developed to capture the features of practice exercises (in Analysis I).

Using this instrument, the practice exercises from 24 different Analysis I lectures were quantitatively analyzed and compared. The results reveal considerable differences between the sets of exercises used by different instructors. In addition, a cluster analysis identified four distinct types of Analysis I exercises.

Felix Wlassak works as a lecturer for special assignments at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. His research focuses on the characteristics of exercises in higher mathematics and on how students engage with these tasks.