Symbolically equal to

Evaluation type: Symbolically equal to

The Symbolically equal to (equivSymbolic) scoring method checks whether a learner’s response is mathematically equivalent to the sample answer, regardless of how it’s expressed. This makes it highly flexible, as it can perform arithmetic, algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric manipulations to recognize equivalence across different forms.

Use Symbolically equal to when you don’t require answers in a specific format. It accepts a wide range of inputs, including decimals, fractions, percentages, variables, trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential, vector, and matrix expressions.

Authors can also set additional options to fine-tune how responses are scored, ensuring both flexibility for learners and control for assessments.

Demo 1: Default settings

This demo uses the Symbolically equal to scoring method, which checks whether a learner’s response is mathematically equivalent to the authored answer. It is ideal for allowing multiple valid forms of an expression supporting learners solving the problem with different techniques.

Demo 2: Allow equivalent antiderivative

This demo highlights the ability to allow equivalent antiderivatives, ensuring a learner’s response is mathematically equivalent to the correct antiderivative, even if it differs by a constant of integration. It is most useful for calculus problems involving indefinite integrals, where multiple valid forms exist. This saves authors from having to list every constant-adjusted version of the correct answer.

Demo 3: Compare corresponding sides of an equation

This demo uses Symbolically equal to scoring method with the compare corresponding sides of an equation option enabled.

This ensures the learner responses are not only algebraically equivalent to the authored answer, but also that each side of the equation matches correctly, reinforcing proper equation structure and reasoning.