Specify functions
Updated 28 Aug 2023
In the Edit Algorithmic
Values window, you can use functions in your constraint definitions. Functions are not available for all courses.
Specify a function
- In the Constraint Value column, click inside the row
where you want to insert a function, and then right-click.
A menu displays with a list of the types
of available functions: Simple, Trigonometric, Logarithmic, Statistical, and Miscellaneous.
- Choose the function you want
to insert in your constraints.
- Replace the variables in the
function syntax with your own definitions. If you are inserting other
algorithmic values in a function, precede the value name with a tilde.
Algorithmic values that you define as the Text or Symbol
or Algebraic or Numeric Expression type do not
perform calculations. Instead, they display the text of the expression
exactly as you defined it. To use the result of a calculation in an algorithmic
value, use another algorithmic value to perform the calculation and then
use that value in the algorithmic value you are defining.
You also can add most functions by typing in the template syntax. See Function templates for a list
of the available functions and their definitions.
Example — Use functions to simplify a fraction
- Define the integer algorithmic
values ~num and ~den for the numerator and denominator, respectively,
of the original fraction.
- Use a function to define an intermediate
value to calculate the simplified form of the numerator:
- Define an integer algorithmic
value, ~simpnum, to calculate the simplified form of the numerator and
select = as the relational operator.
- Click in the row under Constraint Value and then right-click to select
Editing Options > Simple > SIMPAB(A,B) from the list.
This function divides A by the greatest common factor of A and
B.
- Replace A and B with your algorithmic values for
the numerator and denominator:
SIMPAB(~num,~den)
- Use a function to define an intermediate
value to calculate the simplified form of the denominator:
- Define an integer algorithmic
value, ~simpden, to calculate the simplified form of the denominator and select =
as the relational operator.
- Click in the row under Constraint Value and then right-click to select
Editing Options > Simple > SIMPBA(A,B) from the list.
This function divides B by the greatest common factor of A and
B.
- Replace A and B with your algorithmic values for
the numerator and denominator:
SIMPBA(~num,~den)
- On the next line, add not-equal-to
1 as a constraint to avoid cases when the fraction simplifies to a whole
number.
- Define a fifth algorithmic value,~frac, for the simplified fraction:
- Select Algebraic
or Numeric Expression as the algorithmic value type.
- Select your relational operator.
- In the Constraint Value column, enter:
~simpnum / ~simpden
Your Algorithmic Values List looks like this:
- Insert ~frac in your question. The fraction displays
as follows:
See also: Create and edit algorithmic values | Work with algorithmic values