'Working example' vs 'worked example'

[feynman1]

any difference?

 

[sysprog]

A 'working example' usually means something like a functioning prototype, whereas a 'worked example' means something more like a demonstration of a stepwise procedure for attaining a result. Typically you'll see the former term in discussions of mechanisms, and the latter in textbooks, especially math books, in reference to examples of how to solve problems, one or more for each of some particular kinds.

 

[feynman1]

A 'working example' usually means something like a functioning prototype, whereas a 'worked example' means something more like a demonstration of a stepwise procedure for attaining a result. Typically you'll see the former term in discussions of mechanisms, and the latter in textbooks, especially math books, in reference to examples of how to solve problems, one or more for each of some particular kinds.

Thanks a lot and understood a bit. But could you please give some examples to manifest the difference further? Maths too has mechanisms.

 

[phinds]

A "working example" could be a physical machine that demonstrates that a patent actually represents something that works. An actual prototype of a new kind of airplane, for example.

A "worked example" would be a written down step by step solution to an equation, for example.

 

[jack action]

Worked examples (WE) are step-by-step demonstration processes of how to complete a problem or perform a task (Clark, Nguyen, & Sweller, 2006). WE seek to impart information. An instance of a worked example may be the process of how to perform a math problem correctly. Concepts are first introduced in their simplest form. A gradual progression of simple to complex step-by-step procedures are an integral part of WE (Clark et al., 2006). Knowing the appropriate levels of progression and starting points is referred to as “scaffolding” (Atkinson, Derry, Renkl, & Wortham, 2000; Glaser, 1976). Since WE are a way to impart information, the process is considered a form of lecturing (McKeachie & Svinicki, 2011).

A working example would be the end result of a worked example. An example that is actually working in real life.

Here's a worked example on how to go in space:

1. Sell books online;
2. Wait until you become a multibillionaire;
3. Hire engineers to build spaceship;
4. Go to space.

Jeff Bezos is a working example of this worked example.

 

[Rive]

My first time coming across with this 'worked example' expression.
Cannot help it: for me this sound like something you would say when it's failed.

I don't know if this expression existed before the whole cognitive science thing blew up, but if not, it feels like a poor choice of words for something made up from scratch

 

[sysprog]

@Rive, I'm a bit puzzled by your apparent skepticism regarding this ##-## in my view, it's straightforward ##-## here's an example (from https://intl.siyavula.com/read/math...inequalities/04-equations-and-inequalities-03):

 

[Rive]

I'm a bit puzzled by your apparent skepticism regarding this

That 'skepticism' is directed on the naming sense of the inventor of the expression, and not on the phenomenon itself.

 

[phinds]

That 'skepticism' is directed on the naming sense of the inventor of the expression, and not on the phenomenon itself.

And I am also puzzled by your point of view. It seems to me to be a perfectly correct descriptive phrase.

 

[Mark44]

I don't know if this expression existed before the whole cognitive science thing blew up

I don't hvve any dates, but my sense is that the phrase "worked example" has been around in English for many, many years.

As others have said, it means an example in which all the steps are shown, and a working example can be thought of as a prototype of a finished product that actually functions as designed.