Just a little rebuttal -
I respectfully disagree that how something is written exposes the writer's intent. I have long disagreed with the premise in literature classes. The reader may construe what the reader wishes to construe. The writer can influence the reader, but it really is up the the reader how the reader feels about it. There is very, very, very little writing in my experience that could be taken out of context and presented to 100 people and have 100 of them conclude the author's intent consistently. It really is up to the reader. Put in this context of helpful volunteers, there really is no reason to conclude insult. There just isn't. Don't do it. Take responsibility for your own feelings.
An important reasiong for asking "-YES any reason why you don't know that?" rather than the alternative you suggested, is the emphasis on the fundamental nature of the concept. If, indeed, you do NOT know that, you need to back up a bit and get it, because somehow you missed it or misplaced it. It is very important. It should be given emphasis, as should other fundamental concepts.
Why did you put "student" in quotation marks? Were you quoting or were you demeaning the description? I don't recommend the latter.
I put the last section in just to demonstrate. If you are puzzled by something, simply ask. No need to be insulted. You have a choice.
I had a nice read in the geometry section. You were told to factor the equation. So? You assumed it was possible. In my view, the individual you told you to do that figured you knew enough about factoring. You were both wrong in those assumptions. This emphasizes the importance of your background. If you are just going to do whatever you are told, you are on a very slippery slope. You need not to do the things that will lead you into an endless loop of frustration. It would have been much more beneficial if you had proceeded as I demonstrated initially, namely, try to factor or prove that it cannot be done, then take another approach.
"I just asked for some help, not to be insulted" -- You know what I'm going to say about this, right? Insult is up to the reader. Don't choose it and we'll all be happier.
I hope sincerely that we can learn some more mathematics.