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Diff for /loncom/html/adm/help/tex/Significant_Figures.tex between versions 1.6 and 1.7

version 1.6, 2013/09/09 20:57:01 version 1.7, 2014/03/17 04:24:56
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 \label{Significant_Figures}  \label{Significant_Figures}
 A \textbf{significant figures} specification tells the system how many significant  A \textbf{significant figures} specification is an optional setting that 
 figures there are in the problem, as either a single number, e.g. 3, or a range of  tells LON-CAPA how many significant
 acceptable values, expressed as \textbf{min,max}. The system will check to  figures there are required for the answer, as either a single number, e.g. 3, or a range of
 make sure that the student's answer contains this many significant digits,  acceptable values, expressed as \textbf{min,max}. The significant figures field can be omitted if you do 
   not want to constrain the number of significant digits in the student answers.
   
   The system will check to
   ensure that the student's answer contains the required significant digits,
 useful in many scientific calculations. For example, if the computer answer is {}``1.3'',  useful in many scientific calculations. For example, if the computer answer is {}``1.3'',
 and the problem requests three significant digits, specified by (entered without quotes)   and the problem requests three significant digits, specified by (entered without quotes) 
 {}``3'',  the system will require the students to type {}``1.30'',  {}``3'',  the system will require the students to type {}``1.30'',
 even though numerically, {}``1.3'' and {}``1.30'' are the same. A significant  even though numerically, {}``1.3'' and {}``1.30'' are the same. A significant
 figure specification of (entered without quotes) {}``3,4'' means both {}``1.30'' and {}``1.300''  figure specification of (entered without quotes) {}``3,4'' means both {}``1.30'' and {}``1.300''
 are acceptable. The significant figures field can be omitted if you do   are acceptable. 
 not want to constrain the number of significant digits in the student answers.  
   Authors should be clear in the problem statements to tell students the required
   number or range of significant figures. If the student response does not contain 
   the correct number of significant digits, the LON-CAPA response will 
   tell students to increase or decrease the digits in their response, but it will not
   tell them how many digits to use. These responses do not use up
   the number of trials, but such responses are frustrating for students. If you would like to ensure
   that at least three significant digits are used, then a specification such as 3,15
   ensures at least three digits are used, but will quietly accept up to 15.
   
 Note that care must be used when generating and formating computer answers.  Note that care must be used when using formatted computer answers together with 
 You must assure that the specified answer format provides for enough significant digits.  a significant digit specification.
   You must ensure that the formatted answer provides enough significant digits.
 To test the formatted answer, LON-CAPA converts the computer answer,  To test the formatted answer, LON-CAPA converts the computer answer,
 as generated in the script block, according to the  as generated in the script block, according to the
 format attribute in the numericalresponse tag.  format attribute in the numericalresponse tag, e.g. 3f.
 Then LON-CAPA separately applies that number of significant  Then LON-CAPA separately applies that number of significant
 figures to the computer answer, and if that result  figures to the computer answer, and if that result
 falls outside the range specified in the significant digit parameter,   falls outside the range specified in the significant digit parameter, 
 it "grades" the computer answer as SIG\_FAIL (i.e., not correct). This helps assure  it "grades" the computer answer as SIG\_FAIL (i.e., not correct). 
 that you have enough significant digits in the formatted answers you display to the students.  
 It is a good idea to use the problem testing environment to test plenty of different  It is a good idea to use the problem testing environment to test plenty of different
 randomizations to make sure that your format and sig digits parameters are compatible.  randomizations to make sure that your format and sig digits parameters are compatible.
   This helps ensure that the formatted answer has enough significant digits.
   
Removed from v.1.6  
changed lines
  Added in v.1.7

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