Define fractional and mixed-number answers

Updated 28 Aug 2023

Examples of fractional and mixed-number answers include:

When you enter a fractional or mixed-number answer in the Edit Answer Definition wizard, you need to select an answer rule based on the type of equivalent answers you want the Player to accept as correct.

Table — Answer rules appropriate for different kinds of answers

Answer rule	Solution value	Equivalent answers that are correct	Equivalent answers that are incorrect
Accept any unsimplified or simplified equivalent answers (the default)	3/2	3/2 1.5 6/4 2-1/2	N/A
Accept only the exact answer you define	3/2	3/2	1.5 6/4 2-1/2
When the answer is a single numeric value, Accept integer or decimal equivalents only	3/2	1.5 001.5000	3/2 6/4 2-1/2
When the answer is a numeric value or an ordered pair with numeric coordinates, Accept fully-reduced form	3/2	3/2 1.5	6/4 2-1/2

Hints to enter fractional and mixed-number answers in the Edit Answer Definition wizard

If your answer includes algorithmic values, use algorithmic values to perform calculations required for both the numerator and the denominator. For example, suppose your question is adding like fractions: 1/5 + ~v1/5 where ~v1 is an algorithmic value. Define an algorithmic value ~v2 that equals 1+~v1; the answer would then be defined as ~v2/5.
You can use the SIMPAB and SIMPBA functions in algorithmic values to simplify the algorithmic values used for the numerator and denominator of a fractional answer.
When your I-bar is visible in the row, right-click and select Editing Options > Insert Mixed Number to enter the code for a mixed number, such as 3 1/2, as an answer value. For example, the code for this mixed number is @MNUM{3;1;2}.
If you define an unreduced fraction as the answer, the Accept fully-reduced form answer rule automatically reduces your fractional answer and expects the student's answer to be fully reduced. For example, 6/8 is reduced to 3/4.
To define more than one acceptable fractional answer, type each acceptable answer on a separate line in the Values area of the Define Answers step. For example, type 3/5 on one line and 6/10 on the second line to indicate that either value is acceptable.
To allow a student to type either a fraction or the rounded decimal equivalent (for example, 1/3 and 0.333):
1. Create a decimal-type algorithmic value that is equal to 1/3 and set the formatting of the variable to 3 decimal places.
2. On the Define Answers step, list 1/3 as the first answer value.
3. On the next line, list the algorithmic value defined in step 1 as the second answer value.