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Entering Your Answers in Derivita — Syntax Guide

The Digital Cheat Sheet: How to Format Fractions, Exponents, Roots, and Symbols

This guide shows you how to type common math expressions so the computer understands them exactly as you intended.

Section What's inside?
Basics Understanding the Toolbar, Preview Window, and Invalid Input errors.
Syntax Guide How to type fractions, exponents, roots, and special symbols.
Topics & Logic Specialized formatting for Intervals, Matrices, and Inequalities.
Completing your Assignment How to use attempts, "Try Similar," and submit your final work.

1. Fractions and Mixed Numbers

  • Basic Fractions: Type / for the division bar.

    • Example: Type 1/2.

  • Complex Fractions: If the top or bottom of your fraction has more than one symbol, wrap that part in parentheses.

    • Example: Type (a+b)/(c+d).

  • Mixed Numbers: Leave a single space between the whole number and the fraction.

    • Example: Type 3 1/2.

fractionmulti2

2. Exponents and Powers

  • Basic Powers: Use the ^ symbol (Shift + 6) to "raise" a number to a power.

    • Example: Type a^b.

  • Grouped Exponents: If your exponent contains more than one symbol or a math operation, wrap the entire exponent in parentheses.

    • Example: Type a^(b+c).

  • Fractional Exponents: Put the fraction inside parentheses.

    • Example: Type a^(1/2).

exponents2

3. Roots and Radicals

  • Square Roots: You can click the √ icon on the toolbar or type sqrt(...).

    • Example: Type sqrt(x-y).

  • n-th Roots: Use the toolbar icon Screenshot 2023-12-27 9.37.12 PM or type nth_root(index, expression).

    • Example: Type nth_root(3, 8).

nthroot1

4. Special Symbols and Shortcuts

To get this... Type this... Notes
Plus or Minus (±) + , - Type the "plus" version, a comma, then the "minus" version.
Absolute Value |-x|  abs(-x) Type abs, open parenthesis, the value, then closed parenthesis
Degree Symbol (°) deg Type deg after the number (e.g., 90deg).
Ratio/Odds (2:5) : Type a colon between the numbers.
Repeating Decimal ^_ Follow the format 1.3^_3.
Pi (π) pi Type the letters "pi"
Infinity Symbol (∞) infinity Type the word "infinity"

5. Parentheses Matter

The computer is very literal. If your preview window shows a layout you didn't want, it almost always means you need more parentheses.

  • Typing sqrt x + 2 would display as s⋅q⋅r⋅t⋅x+2

  • Typing sqrt(x + 2) ensures the whole expression is included.

 

Still Stuck?

If you are having trouble with a specific problem and the formatting guide isn't helping, reach out to your instructor. Ask your teacher for help | Derivita Support Center