# Free form linear algebra questions. browsing

• Hello all,

I am having some problems grading free form linear algebra questions like

1) Given a vector v created via randomvector enter u orthogonal to v.

2) Given a plane with randomly chosen coefficients give a basis for the plane.

In the first case I am simply trying to test that the dot product is zero but am totally unsuccessful. I have tried extracting components, changing formats for the vector and so on, all to no avail. (I'm not even trying to also test they didn't just enter zero yet!)

Ideas on how to grade this and to generally debug when the grading involves a functional of the answer greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

JF.

• You will need to make sure that you are using the Maple-graded response area with Maple Syntax on. From there, the grading code depends on how you expect students to enter their response.

Part 1) Text Entry: I assume that you have a working variable $v for the LinearAlgebra[RandomVector] command. If students enter [1,2,3] then use the grading code u:=Vector($RESPONSE); evalb($v.u=0); Part 1) Symbolic Entry: Similarly, where$v is the random vector, the student uses the Matrix/Vector entry button, then use the grading code

u:=convert($RESPONSE,Vector); evalb($v.u=0);

For 2), you just need to test that the two vectors in the basis are orthogonal and both satisfy the equation of the plane, correct? Suppose $plane represents the equation of the plane without z (e.g.$plane=3x+2y). In Symbolic mode, if the student enters both vectors separated by a comma, then try this:

r:={$RESPONSE}; evalb(eval($plane, [x = r[1][1], y = r[1][2]]) = r[1][3] and eval(\$plane, [x = r[2][1], y = r[2][2]]) = r[2][3] and u.v = 0);

If this does not help solve the issue, I would suggest exporting the question as you have designed it currently, and attaching the zip file here.

• Hi @jfw, This is a very interesting topic: How to grade free form questions. Because such questions are really good for testing at the higher ends of the learning taxonomy. Incidentally, I have tried to make a MathApp question much in the same direction as the one you describe. Below please find the cloud link to the corresponding worksheet, which you can download and use directly as a MapleTA question or simply off-line just via the worksheet itself. It may not be precisely what you are looking for, but in the corresponding startup code you will find a Maple evaluation procedure that can be used as is or changed to fit your needs appropriately? Link: Param_Construct

Best, Steen

• @chrisb Thanks very much--I didn't know about Convert.