Define numeric answers

Updated 28 Aug 2023

Numeric answers include answers such as 48, 3.5, and 2*3. (Fractions are considered separately. See Define fractional and mixed-number answers.)

When you enter a numeric 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.

Answer rules 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)	0.75	0.75 3/4 00.75000 75/100 2-5/4	N/A
Accept only the exact answer you define	0.75	0.75	3/4 75/100 2-5/4
Accept only the exact answer you define	2*3	2*3	3*2 6 5+1
When the answer is a single numeric value, Accept integer or decimal equivalents only	0.75	0.75 .75 00.75000	3/4 75/100 2-5/4
	2*3	6	23 32 5+1
When the answer is a numeric value or an ordered pair with numeric coordinates, Accept fully-reduced form	0.75	0.75 00.75000 3/4	75/100 2-5/4
	(1,1/2)	(1,1/2) (1,0.5) (1.0,0.500)	(1/1,2*2/4, which does not equal 1/2) (1,1-.5)
When the answer is algebraic or an ordered pair with algebraic coordinates, Accept similar answers or algebraic function	2*3	23 32	6 5+1
	0.75	0.75 .75 00.75000	3/4 75/100 2-5/4

Hints to enter numeric answers in the Edit Answer Definition wizard

You can accept student answers from a range of numeric values by:
- Listing each acceptable answer in a separate row on the Define Answers step. For example, list 0.74, 0.75, and 0.76 to accept any of these three values.
- Using the Numeric Comparison option on the Set Options step. For example, if the answer is 0.75, set the Tolerance option to +/- .01 to accept any value between 0.74 and 0.76. See Specify tolerance for more information on applying tolerances.
Answer rules do not automatically simplify answer values. To ensure that answer values show in simplified form, use algorithmic values to perform any interim calculations required for the answer.

For example, if a question asks you to find ~v1*~v1+3 where ~v1 is an algorithmic value, define another variable ~v2 that is equal to ~v1*~v1+3 and then use ~v2 as an answer value.