How Does a Math Question with Formulas Work?
Math formulas sometimes require specialized numbers, such as fractions and exponents. These characters aren't available on a computer's keyboard. The A+LS math lessons that require formulas provide you with special commands that let you create the necessary numbers. To make it easy to remember the commands, every formula page has instructions on how to create a formula. Clicking on the help window closes it, returning you to the page with the formula question.
Hint - Normally the formula editor creates good math formulas, but once in a while, formulas look very wrong instead of having the correct numbers and letters. This happens when the computer doesn't have the right math fonts (number and letter sets). If your formulas look very wrong please tell your teacher or lab manager, "This computer may not have the right math fonts installed."
1. When presented with a formula question, select the formula help button.
• The help window opens with instructions on making fractions and exponents. Read the instructions.
2. Select anywhere in the help window to close it.
• You return to the question page.
3. Type in the formula that answers the question.
• The instructions will tell you if it is necessary to press the [Enter] key ([Return] on the Macintosh) before going on the the next page.
4. Select the Go Forward button on the toolbar (see the toolbar pictured below).
• Test Question - You move on to the next question page. During the test you can return to any question to review or change your answer. Your answers will be graded after you have finished the test. You can see your test score in your Progress reports.
• Practice Problem - Practice questions are graded right away. If your answer was CORRECT then you will see the next page of the lesson. If your answer was INCORRECT you may return to the practice problem and have another chance to answer it.
Hint - Sometimes the computer says your answer was wrong, but you are sure it was right. You need to carefully reread the question and instructions. Also, think about what you were studying on the pages before the practice problem, then answer the problem again.