Math textbook style with what follows?

Question

I am proofreading a math textbook. The author writes, "Ask students the following questions. Have them write their answer in their math journal. Then call on several students to check answers." My question involves the statement that questions will follow and then I see two or even three more lines of text before the questions. It does not seem logical to me to use "the following" when the questions do not follow, but I would like your opinion(s) on this matter.

Answer 1

I agree it is not logical to include other questions that are not relevant to your specific question(s) together in the text. Your question(s) should go before the two or three lines of text. This will make the students follow the prompts and questions more easily and will prevent any confusion.

Answer 2

I see where you are going, and no doubt there is more than one way to do this. The text is trying to provide the instructor (in this case you) full instructions to carry out before shifting focus to the students. Then it becomes your responsibility to give the students full instructions, because you have them.

If you give the problems first, then you have to shift focus to tell them what to do, giving them a chance to lose track of where they are on individual problems. I hope this explanation makes sense...