Enter numeric value answers

Updated 24 Aug 2023

Some questions ask you to enter a numeric answer without also entering a unit. You can answer these questions on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. (Alternate instructions to enter numeric values in Value with Units answer boxes)

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These instructions apply to entering numeric value answers.

  • Toolbar for these questions on a computer:

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  • Toolbar for these questions on a mobile device:

 

Enter answers on a computer

Enter answers on mobile device*
(tablet or smartphone)

Toolbar

  • Use the Templates menu for math formats like exponent and fraction.
  • Use the Symbols menu for Greek letter, hbar, and EMF symbols.
  • Mastering Engineering only: Choose Slope/Displacement menu and Vector button, as needed.
  • To undo, redo, and reset the answer box to its original state: Use toolbar buttons.
  • To view or print keyboard shortcuts or Help topic: Click buttons on the right.
  • To begin, tap in an answer box for the toolbar to appear below.
  • Choose buttons from the Letters, Numeric, Templates, and Symbols menus to compose your answer.
  • Mastering Engineering only: Choose Slope/Displacement menu and Vector button, as needed.
  • To undo, redo, and reset the answer box to its original state: Use toolbar buttons on the right.

Keyboard for letters and numbers

  • Use your physical keyboard to enter letters, numbers, and other characters.
  • See info below for characters you can or cannot use in your answers.
  • Choose either the Letters menu or the Numeric menu for alphanumeric characters and some math symbols.
  • To switch between lowercase and uppercase keys: Choose the arrow button from the Letters menu.

Keyboard shortcuts for special formats (like subscript)
  • It can be faster to use keyboard shortcuts instead of the Templates menu to insert special formats.
  • For keyboard shortcuts that begin with \ (backslash), choose \ from the Letters menu.

Cursor control in your answer

  • Use your keyboard arrow keys (Right arrow, Left arrow, Up arrow, Down arrow) to move the cursor in your answer or between Value and Units answer boxes.
  • It can be easier to use arrow keys instead of a mouse or other input device to reposition your cursor.
  • Use your finger or other input device to position the cursor in an answer or in the other answer box.
  • For finer cursor control on a phone: Enlarge your view of the answer box before moving the cursor.
  • If cursor control on your phone is challenging: Consider using your computer or a tablet.


Enter numeric answers

Follow these guidelines when entering numeric answers.

  • Enter * for the multiplication operator. Do NOT use the letter x. Enter multiplication explicitly, that is, type 2*a*b, not 2ab. Use scientific notation, not e (which Mastering evaluates as the constant 2.718...) or E. For example, enter 1.23*10^5 instead of 1.23e+5 or 1.23E+5.

  • Use commas only as separators between multiple expressions within a single answer box, such as "1999,2009". Do NOT use commas in any large number, such as 32000.

  • No spaces. The answer box does not allow you to enter spaces.

  • Order of evaluation for grading is provided below.
    1. The deepest nested terms in parentheses are evaluated first.
    2. Exponents are evaluated next. Exponents are always evaluated from right to left. For example, 3^2^2 is evaluated as 3^(2^2), but 3/2/2 is evaluated as (3/2)/2.
    3. Multiplication and division are evaluated next, from left to right.
    4. Addition and subtraction are evaluated last, from left to right.

    Also, if a question asks for several answers in a particular order, such as numeric order, your answers must be in that order. Mastering uses string matching to grade such answers.

  • Parentheses to distinguish some subscripts and exponents: Add parentheses around a subscript or exponent when it’s immediately followed by another subscript or exponent that should NOT be applied to the earlier subscript or exponent. For example, enter 2*(v_0)^2 instead of 2*v_0^2, if you want to square v_0, where _ means 0 is a subscript of v.

    See also the section below about how to “Discontinue entering special format values (like exponent) in your answer”.

  • You can enter any of the numeric characters and symbols shown in the table below. Any other mathematical symbols not included below or on the keyboard shortcuts list are unavailable. You can't enter spaces.
  • See also previous section for notes about order of evaluation and using parentheses for some subscripts and exponents.

Acceptable characters and symbols

Notes

Available from this menu (on mobile devices)

0-9

You can enter these characters directly or into a special format, like a subscript.

Numeric

a-z, A-Z

Note that the x character can't be used as the multiplication symbol. (Use * instead.)

Letters

+

For addition

Numeric

-

For subtraction

Numeric

*

For multiplication

Numeric

/

For fraction format

Numeric

.

For decimal point

Numeric

,

Commas are reserved for answers that include two or more numbers or mathematical expressions.


  • For large numbers, such as 10,000 or 6,324,506.
  • To separate a series (spaces are not allowed), such as 4,16,256,65536.
  • For x,y points on a plane, such as 3,5.

Do NOT use for large numbers.

For example, to represent 6,324,506, type 6324506.

Numeric

(), []

When you enter the first part, it displays in red until you close the expression.

Numeric

^

For exponent format (keyboard shortcut)

Numeric

_

(Underbar)

For subscript format (keyboard shortcut)

Numeric

|

Pipe symbol for absolute values (keyboard shortcut)

Numeric

\

For introducing some keyboard shortcuts

Letters

 

You can use either of the following methods to enter numeric values in special math formats.

  • Open the " " Templates menu and choose a format, such as " " exponent.
  • Enter the equivalent keyboard shortcut, in this case ^.

    Tip: For a list of keyboard shortcuts, select   Keyboard shortcuts from the answer box toolbar.

To move the cursor beyond a specially formatted area:
See "Navigate within your answer" below.


To work with or edit numeric answers

The way to move the cursor in an answer depends on whether you are working with a physical keyboard.

  • Computer users: Use your keyboard arrow keys (Right arrow, Left arrow, Up arrow, Down arrow) to move the cursor in your answer. Note that the left and right arrow keys can move the cursor vertically within an expression. You can also use a mouse or other input device to reposition your cursor in an answer, but using the arrow keys may be easier.
  • Smartphone and tablet users without a physical keyboard: Use your finger or other input device to position the cursor in your answer. For finer cursor control on a phone, enlarge your view of the answer box before moving the cursor. If moving the cursor on your phone is a challenge: Consider completing the question on your computer or tablet.

 

When you finish entering a value in a special format (for example, the numerator of a fraction), you need to move the cursor outside of the format area. The way you do this depends on whether you are working with a physical keyboard.

  • Computer users: Use your keyboard arrow keys (Right arrow, Left arrow, Up arrow, Down arrow) to move outside of a special format area in your answer. You can also use a mouse or other input device to reposition your cursor within or outside of a special format, but using the arrow keys may be easier.
  • Smartphone and tablet users without a physical keyboard: Use your finger or other input device to position your cursor outside of any special format area. For finer cursor control on a phone, enlarge your view of the answer box before moving the cursor. If moving the cursor on your phone is a challenge: Consider completing the question on a computer or tablet.

 

Edit

How to make the edit

Undo

  • Select  undo to undo your previous actions in reverse order—one action per click (or tap/touch, on a mobile device).
  • Alternatively, press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command-Z (Mac OS) from your computer keyboard.

Redo

  • Select  redo to redo the previous action.
  • Alternatively, press Ctrl+Y (Windows) or Command-Y (Mac OS) from your computer keyboard.

Reset

  • Select  reset to clear your workspace.
  • If you want to start over: This is the easiest way!

Delete

  •  Delete button: Deletes individual characters from left to right. You can also use the Delete key on your computer keyboard.
    For a specially formatted expression (such as a fraction): Press Delete once to select the item, and then press Delete again to delete it.
  • Backspace key (on a keyboard): Deletes individual characters from right to left.
    For a specially formatted expression (such as a fraction): Press Backspace once to select the item, and then press Backspace again to delete it.
  • Keyboard shortcut to cut: You can use standard keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+X for Windows, Command-X for Mac OS) to cut an answer or parts of an answer. See Step 1 below for details about selecting characters.

Copy and paste

These instructions apply when using a computer.

  1. Select the part of the expression you want to copy.

    2. To select individual characters or specially formatted expressions (such as a fraction): Click and drag your input device or hold down the Shift key and press either the left or right arrow key. Continue to press the arrow key for each additional character or format.

  2. Copy using a standard keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command-C (Mac OS).
  3. Paste using a standard keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+V (Windows) and Command-V (Mac OS).

 


More about numeric answers

Open the Introduction to Mastering assignment and select the Introduction to Numeric Answers item. This assignment provides practice items for different kinds of questions. You can usually return to this assignment anytime during the course, even after its due date. If you completed this assignment, you can usually rework its items for practice.

Select  Help from the toolbar then choose Enter numeric math (no Units answer box) on the page that opens.

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Select  Keyboard shortcuts for how to use your keyboard for math answers or engineering answers.