Agreed. It's interesting to me to read about math homework being graded, because in my college math courses (at RPI in the late-aughts), homework was optional. It was "assigned" for students who needed more practice, but not required for those who didn't. It had no bearing on your grades at all.

I distinctly remember for the calculus courses, they told you a set of textbooks were required. By the end of the semester, I hadn't even peeled off the shrink wrap. The professor only used the books to cherry-pick homework problems from, and I personally never felt the need to complete them. I get that everyone learns differently, but making everyone buy that book never really sat well with me.