• Ecco the dolphin@lemmy.ml
    33·
    2 days ago

    This is from a Pearson online graded thing, if you don’t happen to recognize it. It probably would have taken 161/4 (edited) as a correct answer as well (IMO 40 1/4 is ambiguous, improper).

    The software is more than capable of determining that 40.25=40+1/4 so its not really excusable (unless its specifically trying to teach fractions for middle schoolers or something)

    That said, A lot of my calc 3 homework (multi variable calculus) in college was run by Pearson, and while it wasn’t perfect, the fact that it was autograded with multiple attempts allowed made learning the material easy. Immediate feedback is incredible.

    Fuck Pearson though, honestly. This shit is expensive and it’s still got noticeable flaws. Last Pearson course I took kept trying to get me to use their shitty AI and pay extra for shit. I’m a student, not a potential customer to shake down.

  • wizzor@sopuli.xyz
    324·
    2 days ago

    Without seeing the question…

    It’s perfectly normal to require the answer to be given in fractions instead of decimals if the question is given in fractions.

    • thebestaquaman@lemmy.world
      235·
      2 days ago

      That’s absolutely stupid if you’re talking about a number that can be represented exactly in both notations.

      • wizzor@sopuli.xyz
        4·
        2 days ago

        Unless the course or assignment is specifically about fractions.

        At least I was thought to use the same format for results as the assignment.

      • stupidcasey@lemmy.world
        33·
        2 days ago

        Calculators can make decimal easy and fractions hard when doing it yourself fractions are much easier it’s an anti-cheat of sorts

        Edit: I’m getting a lot of flak for something explicitly stated in a text book, yeah some calculators can but they are less common especially in grade school and it could just be a carry over from time’s when calculators couldn’t, my point is that this isn’t some random theory it’s a real thing real text books have done.

    • baines@lemmy.cafeEnglish
      51·
      2 days ago

      what is normal about that stupid requirement?

      i played those stupid games and got my As but fuck do i not miss those online grade math sites

    • stupidcasey@lemmy.world
      33·
      2 days ago

      Calculators can make decimal easy and fractions hard when doing it yourself fractions are much easier it’s an anti-cheat of sorts

      • expr@programming.dev
        3·
        2 days ago

        Modern calculators can switch modes between decimal and fractions. It’s pretty irrelevant.

        Also, someone may do the problem themselves using any number of means that involve decimals. Or maybe they simply prefer to write in decimal. Either way, the program is simply wrong.

      • OddMinus1@sh.itjust.works
        1·
        2 days ago

        I heavily doubt this is the reason. It would fail so many honest users while catching a few cheaters. And the cheaters could easily avoid getting caught by using the correct mode on a decent calculator.

  • unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de
    187·
    2 days ago

    The correct answer would be 10 right?

    40 × 0.25 = 10

    There is no plus in there and empty space turns into a multiplication by default.

    • mumblerfish@lemmy.world
      3·
      2 days ago

      Yes, but no. That notation is the dumbest one ever. Everywhere else a juxtaposition implies multiplication, except for fractions with integers to the left.