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physPad Answers That Cannot Be Understood

If your answer contains one or more syntax errors that prevent WebAssign from being able to grade it, WebAssign displays the message Your answer cannot be understood or graded. If your assignment allows you to submit answers by question part, answers with syntax errors are not counted as incorrect submissions.

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Often, the problem is a simple typographical error that is easy to spot and correct. After correcting the error, submit your answer again.

Errors Specific to calcPad Questions

The following errors are common in mathPad, calcPad, or physPad questions, as well as older symbolic questions that require calculator notation.

Problem

Incorrect

Correct

Comma in number.

5,000

5000

Do not use ** to specify exponents.

2**3

2 3

2^3

Incorrect variables. Variable names are case-sensitive ( x is not the same as X ).

If the question specifies Greek letters or symbols such as ℓ, do not substitute English letters.

3 X

3a

3l

3 x

3α

3ℓ

Do not use uppercase E in scientific notation.

1.2E15

1.2e15

Common Errors

Some of the most common errors are listed here.

Problem

Incorrect

Correct

Unrecognized symbol.

$4.00

4&6

4.00

4+6

Brackets or braces instead of parentheses.

4*{x+3}

4*(x+3)

Unpaired parentheses.

(1+2)+3)

((1+2)+3)

Missing part of the expression.

50*

50*3

Too many consecutive operators.

x++++2

x+2