Define ordered-pair answers

Updated 28 Aug 2023

Ordered-pair answers include two coordinates separated by a comma and enclosed in parentheses. For example, (5,-2) and (2a,b) are correctly formatted ordered-pair answers.

When you enter an ordered-pair answer in the Edit Answer Definition wizard, you must select an answer rule based on the type of equivalent answers you want the Player to accept as correct. When creating ordered-pair answers, you must select the check box The correct answer(s) are ordered pairs.

Table — Answer rules appropriate for different kinds of answers

Answer rule	Solution value	Equivalent and correct answers	Equivalent but correct answers
Accept any unsimplified or simplified equivalent answer (default)	(5,3/2)	(5,3/2) (2+3, 1.5) (5, 6/4) (5, )	N/A
Accept only the exact answer you define	(5,3/2)	(5,3/2)	(5, 1.5) (5, 6/4) (5, 2-1/2) (5, )
Answer is a numeric value or an ordered pair with numeric coordinates, accept fully reduced form	(5,3/2)	(5,3/2) (5, 1.5) (5, )	(5, 6/4) (5, 2-1/2)
Answer is algebraic or an ordered pair with algebraic coordinates, accept similar answer or algebraic function	(5, a+b)	(5, a+b) (5, b+a)	(2+3, a+b) (10/2, a+b) (5, 2a-a+b)

Hints to enter ordered-pair answers in the Edit Answer Definition wizard

When you format ordered-pair answers, enclose all ordered-pair answer values in parentheses. Separate the coordinates in the ordered pair with a comma. Do not include spaces between the coordinates and the comma.

To help your students format their ordered pairs correctly when they answer your question, you can add these instructions to the question.

For example, (x,y) is a correctly formatted ordered pair but xy, (x, y) and (xy) are not.

You can create algorithmic values to perform interim calculations required for either or both coordinates in an ordered-pair answer. You can then include the algorithmic values in the answer, rather than an already calculated answer. For example, you can include an ordered-pair answer of (~v1,~v2) where v1 and v2 are algorithmic values you define.
If you want to accept alternate forms of the correct answer, list each acceptable ordered-pair answer on a separate row in the Define Answers tab. For example, enter (x, 3/5) on one line and enter (x,.6) on the next line to indicate that either answer is acceptable.