Blanks [formula]

Note: Version 2.5 introduces Inline Questions, which have all the capabilities of Blanks questions, but more power and flexibility.

Question Mode: blanks [formula] option

qu.x.y.mode=blanks@

blank.<blank_number>=<math_expression>@

grader.<blank_number>=formula@

Description

The blanks question type is versatile. It can provide three different types of student response cells: text fields, drop-down boxes, and mathematical formula cells. The blanks [formula] option provides a means for asking a fill-in-the-blank question in which the answer is a math formula. The text inside a blank is removed and a formula-entry cell is presented to students.

The only difference between a blanks [formula] question and a formula or multipart formula question is the presentation of the entry cell. For blanks questions, the entry cell appears in-line with the question statement (rather than on a separate line as in a formula question).
The blanks [formula] question type accepts only numbers and math expressions. There is no support for physical units.
To create a blanks [formula] question, specify the:

formula argument in the grader field of the question
correct answer in math syntax (for processing by the system math parser) in the blank field. To identify multiple correct answers, separate each with a comma. Do not use a trailing comma.

See the following example.

Example Script for a Blanks Question that Uses All Three Blanks options:

qu.1.1.mode=Blanks@

qu.1.1.question=

Select "red" from the menu: <1>

<br>

Enter "red" or "green" in the box: <2>

<br>

Enter 3 or 4 in the formula box: <3>

qu.1.1.blank.1=red,green,blue@

qu.1.1.blank.2=red,green@

qu.1.1.blank.3=3,4@

qu.1.1.grader.1=menu@

qu.1.1.grader.2=text@

qu.1.1.grader.3=formula@

Notes

You must provide the correct answer in the system math syntax, not TeX. Enter the answer as you expect the student to enter it (although equivalent answers are graded correct).

This option is similar to Formula, but may be more convenient for some questions.

Another advantage of the blanks question type is that several blanks can be included in a single question, and different blank options can be mixed in a single question. This makes the blanks type powerful and flexible.
You can use blanks [formula] questions to create a matrix question by setting the blank response cells in an HTML table.

If the answer is a number (that is, does not have any variables), it is recommended that you specify in the question text whether an exact answer or an approximation is required. In the case of an approximation, the margin of error must be specified in your correct answer. This can be done by:

specifying a margin of error using the ? operator

For example, if the answer field were

{2.34 ? 0.01}

any response between 2.33 and 2.35 (inclusive) would be graded correct. In other words, the number following the ? operator is the margin of error. For more information on tolerances, see Setting a Margin of Error in Non-numeric Questions.