# [LON-CAPA-users] formula response with cas

Peter Riegler lon-capa-users@mail.lon-capa.org
Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:42:22 +0200

Hi

H.K. Ng wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I am writing some formula response problems and would like to use maxima
> to compare two algebraic expressions. Basically, the questions will ask
> the students to solve the problems algebraically and then enter the
> expression. Some questions:
>
> 1. What is the maxima function to use in this case? Using Peter's
> writeup, ratsimp works but does not seem appropriate when it is a
> comparison of two expressions.
> 2. Also, reading Peter's writeup, it says that the expression is passed
> to &implicit_multiplication function so that it inserts the "*" symbol
> where a multiplication is implied. However, when I enter v^2+2g(a-b) it
> is not graded correctly. On the other hand v^2+2*g*(a-b) is graded
> correctly. What I am missing here?
If you send me the code, I will have a look. Seems weird.

> 3. How do I use greek symbols for an expression, both in the coded
> answers and as input in the answer box? Drag math does insert greek
> symbols but there doesn't seem to be a way to directly type it in?
Within loncapa dragmath is configured to convert to maxima syntax.
maxima swallows almost every variable name. So using alpha, beta, etc.
would be fine. Problem is, you have tell non-dragmath users that they
have to enter alpha for \alpha etc.

Along the road of this will be the question whether we should have a
loncapa standard on entering pi ...
>
> Thanks,
> -hk
>
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--
Peter Riegler
Fachhochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel
Salzdahlumer Str. 46/48, 38302 Wolfenbüttel
Tel. +49 5331 939 6314, Fax. +49 5331 939 6002
email: p.riegler@fh-wolfenbuettel.de
http://public.rz.fh-wolfenbuettel.de/~riegler