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Fill in the Blank

Choose the right input and decide when equivalent mathematical answers count.

What this block does

A Fill in the Blank Question embeds answer inputs within a sentence, expression, or worked problem. Each blank has its own input kind and accepted answers.

Set up a blank

Insert Fill in the Blank Question, write the prompt, and configure each blank. Choose text, number, dropdown, or math. Add accepted answers; dropdown answers refer to the configured choices. For text answers, configure case, whitespace, and single-letter mistake handling when appropriate. For numerical comparisons, choose a tolerance suited to the precision you require.

Choose a math comparison mode

ModeUse it when
Exact formThe student must use the mathematical structure you asked for.
EquivalentAlgebraically equivalent expressions should count, such as 2x and x+x.
NumericBoth sides should evaluate to the same number within the configured tolerance.
SimplifiedThe expression must be equivalent and already simplified.

Example: an equivalent answer is not always the goal

For “Write an expression for twice x,” equivalent mode can accept x+x when the expected answer is 2x. For “Simplify x+x,” simplified mode asks for the simplified expression. Choose the mode from the skill you are assessing, not simply to make the checker more lenient.

Troubleshooting

If a mathematically valid answer fails, first check the comparison mode. Exact form can reject a rearranged expression. Simplified mode can reject an equivalent answer that still needs simplification. For decimal answers, check the tolerance and whether the blank is a number or a math input.

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