M161 Home

For logging in to WebWorK go to this link. Then log into the system. (Your user name is your CSU eName, your initial password is your CSU ID number (The 9 digit number on your University ID card -- this is not your Social Security number.)

WebWorK syntax

The following is a list of accepted WebWorK functions. It might be a good idea to print out this page and keep the hard copy handy while doing WeBWorK.

Mathematical Symbols Available In WeBWorK

+: Addition
-: Subtraction
*: Multiplication can also be indicated by a space or juxtaposition, e.g. 2x, 2 x or 2*x, also 2(3+4).
/: Division
^ or **: You can use either ^ or ** for exponentiation, e.g. 3^2 or 3**2
( and ): You can also use square brackets, [ ], and braces, { }, for grouping, e.g. [1+2]/[3(4+5)]; WeBWorK is case sensitive. Do NOT write "X" when you really intend "x".

Syntax for entering expressions

Be careful entering expressions just as you would be careful entering expressions in a calculator.
Sometimes using the * symbol to indicate mutiplication makes things easier to read. For example (1+2)*(3+4) and (1+2)(3+4) are both valid. So are 3*4 and 3 4 (3 space 4, not 34) but using a * makes things clearer.
Use ('s and )'s to make your meaning clear. You can also use ['s and ]'s and {'s and }'s.
Don't enter 2/4+5 (which is 5.5) when you really want 2/(4+5) (which is 2/9).
Don't enter 2/3*4 (which is 8/3) when you really want 2/(3*4) (which is 2/12).
Entering big quotients with square brackets, e.g. [1+2+3+4]/[5+6+7+8], is a good practice.
Be careful when entering functions. It's always good practice to use parentheses when entering functions. Write sin(t) instead of sint or sin t. But WeBWorK is smart enought to accept sin t or even sint. But sin 2t is really sin(2)t, i.e. (sin(2))*t. Be careful.
Do NOT use the notation sin^-1(x), tan^-1(x), etc. for inverse trig functions -- WeBWorK does not understand it. Use the alternative notation arcsin(x), arctan(x), etc., or the shorter forms of this: asin(x), atan(x), etc. See the list below of function notations understood by WeBWorK.
Understand that sin^2t is really shorthand for (sin(t))^2 and must be entered this way. Actually you could enter it as sin(t)^2 or even sint^2, but don't try such things unless you really understand the precedence of operations. For example 2+3sin^2(4x) is wrong. You need to enter something like: 2+3(sin(4x))^2 or 2+3sin(4x)^2. Why does the last expression work? Because things in parentheses are always done first [ i.e. (4x)], next all functions, such as sin, are evaluated [giving sin(4x)], next all exponents are taken [giving sin(4x)^2], next all multiplications and divisions are performed [giving 3sin(4x)^2], and finally all additions and subtractions are performed [giving 2+3sin(4x)^2].
The complete rules for the precedence of operations, in addition to the above, are
- Multiplications and divisions are performed left to right: 2/3*4 = (2/3)*4 = 8/3.
- Additions and subtractions are performed left to right: 1-2+3 = (1-2)+3 = 2.
- Exponents are taken right to left: 2^3^4 = 2^(3^4) = 2^81 = a big number.
Use the "Preview Button" to see exactly how your entry looks. E.g. to tell the difference between 1+2/3+4 and [1+2]/[3+4] click the "Preview Button".
Do not use exclamation points to denote factorials. WeBWorK does not understand things like 3! -- use fact(3) to denote 3 factorial.

Mathematical Constants Available In WeBWorK

pi This gives 3.14159265358979, e.g. cos(pi) is -1. Do NOT write Pi or PI.
e This gives 2.71828182845905, e.g. ln(e*2) is 1 + ln(2).

Scientific Notation Available In WeBWorK

2.1E2 gives 210
2.1E-2 gives .021

Mathematical Functions Available In WeBWorK

abs( ): The absolute value
cos( ): Note: cos( ) uses radian measure
sin( ): Note: sin( ) uses radian measure
tan( ): Note: tan( ) uses radian measure
sec( ): Note: sec( ) uses radian measure
exp( ): The same function as e^x
log( ): The natural log
ln( ): Another name for the natural log
logten( ): The log to the base 10
arcsin( ): sin^-1 will not be accepted.
asin( ): Another name for arcsin
arccos( )
acos( ): Another name for arccos
arctan( )
atan( ): Another name for arctan
sinh( )
cosh( )
tanh( )
sech( )
asinh()
acosh()
atanh()
asech()
sqrt( )
sgn( ): The sign function, either -1, 0, or 1
step( ): The step function (0 if x < 0, 1 if x >= 0)
fact( ): The factorial function (defined only for non negative integers)