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Numeric input
The new number widget accepts a numeric answer, as in the example below. Unlike the old number widget, the new number widget does not convert fractions to decimals.
The answer can be an integer, decimal, proper fraction, improper fraction, mixed number, or number with (enter "pi").
The best practice is to specify an exact answer like
Click on the gear icon below the User input field to view additional widget options:
- You can enter an optional error tolerance (Max error) to specify a numeric range of acceptable answers.
- You can stipulate how unsimplified answers will be graded.
- You can change the suggested answer formats from the defaults that Perseus selects automatically based on the answer you provide.
- If you are testing a skill that requires the answer to be in a particular format, you can reject answers in other formats.
You can also add new answers to the widget and specify whether each answer is correct, wrong, or ungraded. You can even have multiple answers of each type.
You can provide custom feedback for each answer:
- As a general rule, you don’t need to provide custom feedback for a correct answer. The default response is usually sufficient.
- You can catch common errors and give feedback to get students back on track.
- Use ungraded answers sparingly; e.g., “Is your calculator in radians? Recalculate the answer in degrees and try again!”