Variables With Exponents

[bkisker]

I'm trying to use dynamic content to write a MC problem involving multiplying and dividing variables with exponents. (For example x^3 divided by x^2)

I want the exponent for x to range between 0 and 6, so I need to be able to display the x only if the exponent is not 0.

I also only want to display the exponent if it is not 0 or 1. Setting the exponent as a Coefficient (1st) takes care of the display issue if it's a 1, but not if it's a 0.

I wrote an IF command like the one below:

if(exponent<1,"",exponent) but this isn't allowed because the "" is a string and exponent is a variable.

This also doesn't help me with the display of the actual "x" when its exponent is zero.

Any ideas for how to do this?

[support NP]

I can offer you the Dynamic Content training manual if you are interested.

[p_e_barnes]

Check for my resonse in the "Question Bank Exchance Forum"

(It would be nice to be able to attach a file in this forum. Would that change be hard to make?)

[McGarrett]

I have a possible solution. Create variables for the exponents of the numerator (numerexp) and denominator (denomexp), with suitable ranges, and two more variables:
show1 = if(numerexp=0,1,0) and show2 = if (numerexp>0,1,0).

Open the equation editor window and create an "equation" that has 1 divided by x^denomexp . Then, at the bottom of the equation editor window, enter show1 in the "Display equation (only if )" box.

Create another "equation" that has x^numerexp divided by x^denomexp and at the bottom of the equation editor window enter show2 in
the "Display equation (only if )" box.

Insert those equations right next to each other in your question. Depending on the numerator exponent value, only one of the two types of questions will be displayed.

[bkisker]

Thanks p_e. I'm still trying to wrap my head around what all the algorithm definitions specifically do in the bank you posted in the other forum, but I think the answer lies in the "str()" command you used. I'm going to give it a shot, but I may have some other questions about the other algorithms you defined (like the "one" and "notone").

Thanks again!

[p_e_barnes]

The key is the conditional "Display equation (only if )". You have two possibilities: "Display equation (only if ONE )", when the result is 1 and "Display equation (only if NOTONE )", when it is something else. That determines which equation will display.

This post has been edited by p_e_barnes on Apr 23 2010, 03:02 PM

[chugheswaypoint]

In order to do these problems I had to look at all of the scenarios and determine if I wanted the number 1 or 0 to appear as an exponent. For the stated problem I chose to keep the exponent 0 as 0 and not change the term to the numeral 1. For the answer I made the term equal to 1 if the exponent was 0.

In order to accomplish this I made "if" statements for each scenario and used equation editor to make up each scenario. I used the "Display equation (only if )" section of the equation editor to sort through the conditions. Look for my resonse in the ExamView Question Bank Exchange Forum to see the question bank.

The question bank includes multiplication and division problems dealing with problems like "x^4*x^2" and "x^5/x^3". There are 5 problems in the bank. The first 3 problems have the exponent ranging from 0 to 6 and the last 2 problems have the exponent range from -10 to 10.