WeBWork Syntax

Hints for entering answers in WeBWork

Source: http://www.math.uwo.ca/~shafikov/teaching/winter2006/081/hw/howto_enter_answers.html

Mathematical Symbols Available in WeBWorK

+ Addition

- Subtraction

* Multiplication

/ Division

^ or ** Raise to a power

All kinds of brackets and paretheses: (...), [...], {...}

Multiplication may also be indicated by a space or juxtaposition, that is, just writing symbols next to each other, e.g. \[2x, 2\mbox{ }x , 2*x, \mbox{ or } 2(x).\] To be on the safe side, you might wish to always use * for multiplication.

Syntax for entering expressions

Be careful entering expressions just as you would be careful entering expressions in a calculator. Sometimes using the * symbol to indicate multiplication makes things easier to read. For example \[(1+2)*(3+4) \mbox{ and } (1+2)(3+4)\] are both valid.

Use brackets, braces and parenthesis to make your meaning clear.

Don't enter 2/4+5 (which is 5.5) if you mean 2/(4+5) (which is 2/9).

Don't enter 2/3*4 (which is 8/3) if you mean 2/(3*4) (which is 2/12).

Entering big quotients with square brackets, \[ [1+2+3+4]/[5+6+7+8] \] is a good practice.

Be careful when entering functions. It's always good practice to use parentheses when entering functions.

Write sin(t) instead of sin t.

But WeBWorK is smart enough to accept sin t or even sint. But sin 2t is really sin(2)t, i.e. (sin(2))*t. Be careful.

Be careful entering powers of trigonometric, and other, functions.

Write (sin(t))^2 for the square of sin(t) and never \sin^2t.

Things in parentheses are always done first. Next all exponents are taken, then functions are evaluated,

Remember that multiplication and division have the same precedence and there are no universal rules as to which should be done first in the absence of paretheses. WeBWorK and many computers read things from left to right, so \[ 2/3*4 \mbox{ means } (2/3)*4=8/3.\]

The only way to make sure that you are entering what you want to enter is the use of parentheses!!!

Use the "Preview Button" to see exactly how your entry looks. E.g. to tell the difference between 1+2/3+4 and [1+2]/[3+4] click the "Preview Button".

If a problem calls for a decimal answer, give at least four decimal digits, or as many as the problem specifies, or the exact answer. For example, write 3.14159 instead of 3.14, or simply pi.

Intervals in WeBWorK

What is the domain of f(x)=sqrt(x)? One answer is x>=0 (x is greater than or equal to 0). One way to enter this in WeBWorK is in interval notation: [0,infinity).

Other intervals:

(2,3] is the set \[2 < x <= 3\]

(-infinity,5) is the set \[x<5\]

(-infinity, infinity) is the set of all real numbers.

(2,3]U[4,5) is the set \[2 < x <= 3 \mbox{ or } 4<=x<5.\]

(This is a union of two intervals and can be very important.)

pi This gives 3.14159265358979

e This gives 2.71828182845905, e.g. \[ \ln(e) = 1 \]

Scientific Notation Available In WeBWorK

2.1E2 gives 210 2.1E-2 gives .021

Cube roots and such

x^(1/3) gives the cube root of x

Mathematical Functions Available In WeBWorK

abs( ): The absolute value

sqrt( ): The square root function

cos( ): The Cosine function. Note: cos( ) uses radian measure

sin( ): The Sine function. Note: sin( ) uses radian measure

tan( ): The Tangent function. Note: tan( ) uses radian measure

sec( ): The Secant function. Note: sec( ) uses radian measure

exp( ): The Exponential function. The same function as e^x

log( ): The natural log function

ln( ): Another name for the natural log

logten( ): The log to the base 10

arcsin( ), asin( ): name for arcsin

arccos( ), acos( ): Another name for arccos

arctan( ), atan( ): Another name for arctan

sgn( ): The sign function, either -1, 0, or 1

fact( ): The factorial function (defined only for non negative integers)

Using Interval Notation

(Source: webwork.uwyo.edu/webworkdocs/IntervalNotation.html)

If an endpoint is included, then use [ or ]. If not, then use ( or ). For example, the interval from -3 to 7 that includes 7 but not -3 is expressed (-3,7].
For infinite intervals, use Inf for ∞ (infinity) and/or -Inf for -∞ (-Infinity). For example, the infinite interval containing all points greater than or equal to 6 is expressed [6,Inf).
If the set includes more than one interval, they are joined using the union symbol U. For example, the set consisting of all points in (-3,7] together with all points in [-8,-5) is expressed [-8,-5)U(-3,7].
If the answer is the empty set, you can specify that by using braces with nothing inside: { }
You can use R as a shorthand for all real numbers. So, it is equivalent to entering (-Inf, Inf).
You can use set difference notation. So, for all real numbers except 3, you can use R-{3} or (-Inf, 3)U(3,Inf) (they are the same). Similarly, [1,10)-{3,4} is the same as [1,3)U(3,4)U(4,10).
WeBWorK will not interpret [2,4]U[3,5] as equivalent to [2,5], unless a problem tells you otherwise. All sets should be expressed in their simplest interval notation form, with no overlapping intervals.