Answer in an Exponent

Provides an answer blank in an exponent.

Complete Code

POD for Macro Files

PG problem file

Explanation

DOCUMENT();

loadMacros('PGstandard.pl', 'PGML.pl', 'unionTables.pl', 'niceTables.pl', 'PGcourse.pl');

Preamble

We need to include the macros file unionTables.pl

Context()->variables->are(a => 'Real', b => 'Real');

$n = random(3, 9);

# TeX
$expression = "a^{$n} b^{$n}";

# MathObjects
$base     = Formula('a * b');
$exponent = Formula($n);

# Display exponents nicely
$w1 = 10;    # width of 1st answer blank
$w2 = 10;    # width of 2nd answer blank

if ($displayMode eq 'TeX') {
    $showpower =
        "\( \displaystyle $expression = ("
        . ans_rule($w1) . ")^{"
        . ans_rule($w2) . "}\)";
} else {
    $showpower = ColumnTable(
        "\( \displaystyle $expression = \Big( \) "
            . ans_rule($w1)
            . " \( \Big) \)",
        ans_rule($w2) . $BR . $BR,
        indent     => 0,
        separation => 0,
        valign     => 'BOTTOM'
    );
}

Setup

This perl code sets up the problem.

BEGIN_PGML
Rewrite the following using a single exponent.

[$showpower]*

[@ LayoutTable([$showpower] . \(=\)) @]*
END_PGML

Statement

The problem text section of the file is as we’d expect. We insert the nicely formatted answer blanks using $showpower.

ANS($base->cmp);
ANS($exponent->cmp);

Answer

Because ans_rule is used above, this form of answer checking must be used.

BEGIN_PGML_SOLUTION
Solution explanation goes here.
END_PGML_SOLUTION

ENDDOCUMENT();

Solution

A solution should be provided here.