Linear syntax for communicating elementary mathematics

C. J. Sangwin; P. Ramsden

doi:10.1016/j.jsc.2007.07.002

Linear syntax for communicating elementary mathematics

C. J. Sangwin^*
, P. Ramsden

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Mathematics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We consider computer aided assessment (CAA) of mathematics in which a student provides an answer in the form of a mathematical expression. A common approach is for CAA system implementors to adopt a linear syntax to allow students to communicate their answer to the machine. In this paper we consider the problems students encounter when mediating between (i) traditional mathematical notation and (ii) the requirements of a strict computer algebra system (CAS) syntax. We compare the linear syntaxes of five commonly used general purpose CAS, and report surprising variety even at the elementary levels.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	920-934
Number of pages	15
Journal	Journal of Symbolic Computation
Volume	42
Issue number	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsc.2007.07.002
Publication status	Published - Sept 2007

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Mathematics education
Syntax for elementary mathematics

Access to Document

10.1016/j.jsc.2007.07.002

Cite this

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title = "Linear syntax for communicating elementary mathematics",

abstract = "We consider computer aided assessment (CAA) of mathematics in which a student provides an answer in the form of a mathematical expression. A common approach is for CAA system implementors to adopt a linear syntax to allow students to communicate their answer to the machine. In this paper we consider the problems students encounter when mediating between (i) traditional mathematical notation and (ii) the requirements of a strict computer algebra system (CAS) syntax. We compare the linear syntaxes of five commonly used general purpose CAS, and report surprising variety even at the elementary levels.",

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AB - We consider computer aided assessment (CAA) of mathematics in which a student provides an answer in the form of a mathematical expression. A common approach is for CAA system implementors to adopt a linear syntax to allow students to communicate their answer to the machine. In this paper we consider the problems students encounter when mediating between (i) traditional mathematical notation and (ii) the requirements of a strict computer algebra system (CAS) syntax. We compare the linear syntaxes of five commonly used general purpose CAS, and report surprising variety even at the elementary levels.

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KW - Syntax for elementary mathematics

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Linear syntax for communicating elementary mathematics

Abstract

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Access to Document

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STACK: STACK online assessments

Cite this

Linear syntax for communicating elementary mathematics

Abstract

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

STACK: STACK online assessments

Cite this