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Calculated Formula Questions

A calculated formula question contains a formula, the variables of which are set to change for each user. The variable range is created by specifying a minimum value and a maximum value for each variable. Answer sets are randomly generated. The correct answer is a specific value or a range of values. Partial credit may be granted for answers falling within range.

Adding a calculated question to an Assessment is a three step process:

  • Create the question and formula
  • Define the values for the variables
  • Confirm the variables and answers

Since this question allows the instructor to randomize the value of variables in an equation, it may be useful when creating math drills and giving a test when students are seated close together.

The question is the information presented to students. The formula is the mathematical expression used to find the answer. Remember to enclose variables in square brackets.

Calculated Formula Questions
Instructions
Step 1

Open the Test Canvas for a test.
Step 2

Select Calculated Formula from the Create Question drop-down list.
Step 3

Type the information that will display to students in the Question Text box. Surround any variables with square brackets, for example, [x]. The value for this variable will be populated based on the formula. In the example [x] + [y] = z, [x] and [y] will be replaced by values when shown to students. Students would be asked to define z.Variables should be composed of alphabets, digits (0-9), periods (.), underscores (_) and hyphens (-). All other occurrences of the opening rectangular brace ("[") character should be preceded by the back-slash ("\") character. Variable names must be unique and cannot be reused.
Step 4

Define the formula used to answer the question in the Answer Formula box. For example, x + y. Operations are chosen from the buttons across the top of the Answer Formula box.
Step 5

Set the Answer Range. This defines which submitted answers will be marked correct. If the exact value must be entered, enter 0 and select Numeric from the drop-down list. If the answer can vary, enter a value and select Numeric or Percent. Numeric will mark every answer as correct that falls within a range of plus or minus the Answer Range from the exact answer. Percent will mark every answer as correct that falls within a percentage of plus or minus the Answer Range from the exact answer.
Step 6

Click the Allow Partial Credit check box to allow partial credit for answers that fall outside the correct Answer Range.
Step 7

Set the range for partial credit by entering a value and selecting Numeric or Percent for the Partial Credit Range. Answers falling within this range will receive a portion of the total points possible for the question equal to the Partial Credit Points Percentage.
Step 8

Type a value for the Partial Credit Points Percentage.
Step 9

Click the Units Required check box to require that correct answers must include the correct unit of measurement, for example, Seconds or Grams.
Step 10

Type the correct unit of measurement in the Answer Units field.
Step 11

Click the Units Case Sensitive check box to require that correct answers are case sensitive. The answer may still receive partial credit if the unit of measurement is not correct.
Step 12

Type a percentage in Unit Points Percentage. The unit of measurement will account for that percentage of the total credit.
Step 13

When finished with the question, click Next to proceed.
How to Define the Variables
Instructions
Step 1

Type a Minimum Value and a Maximum Value for each variable.
Step 2

Select a decimal place using the Decimal Places drop-down list.
Step 3

Under Answer Set Options, select the decimal places for the answer from the drop-down list. Users must provide the correct answer to this decimal place.
Step 4

Type the Number of Answer Sets. The Answer Sets will be randomized so that different students will be presented with a different set of variables.
Step 5

Click Calculate to reset the variables after making a change or click Go Back to return to the previous page.
How to Confirm the Variables and Answers
Instructions
Step 1

Edit or delete any unwanted answer sets and click Calculate.
Step 2

Type the Correct Response Feedback that appears in response to the correct answer and the Incorrect Response Feedback for an incorrect answer. If partial credit is allowed, answers that are partially correct will receive the feedback for an incorrect answer.
Step 3

Add Question Metadata in the Categories and Keywords section.
Step 4

Click Submit to add the question to the test.
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Last Updated: 3/20/13