Given an expression (either a^-k or 1/a^-k) with a negative index, rewrite it with a positive index.

The variable a and the index k are randomised.

Part of HELM Book 1.2

Part of HELM Book 1.2

Simplify n1.v^k1.(n2.v^k2), where n1, n2 are positive integers, v is a random letter variable, and k1 and k2 are nonzero integers.

The answer should be expressed as n.v^k

Part of HELM Book 1.2

Use the index laws to simplify 3 simple expressions;

n^a*n^b, n^a/n^b, (n^a)^b, where n is a randomised variable or number, and a and b are randomised nonzero integers.

Part of HELM Book 1.2

Two BODMAS questions. Part of HELM Book 1.1.

Expand (x+a)(x+b)(x+c), where x is a randomised variable, and a,b,c are randomised integers.

Note that the pattern restriction in the marking checks that there are no brackets and that the expression is simplified to at most a single x^3, x^2, x and constant term; but it will let you get away with an additional -x^2 and/or -x term. (e.g., you could write 3x as 4x -x and the marking would accept this. This was to stop the pattern matching getting too complicated.

Part of HELM Book 1.3

Eight expressions, of increasing complexity. The student must simplify them by expanding brackets and collecting like terms.

A question to practice simplifying fractions with the use of factorisation (for binomial and quadratic expressions).

Use the BODMAS rule to determine the order in which to evaluate some arithmetic expressions. 

Eight expressions, of increasing complexity. The student must simplify them by expanding brackets and collecting like terms.

Use the BODMAS rule to determine the order in which to evaluate some arithmetic expressions. 

Use laws for addition and subtraction of logarithms to simplify a given logarithmic expression to an arbitrary base.

Simplifying an expression of the form $\frac{a^4b^3}{\sqrt{a^4b^2}}$ to $a^2b^2$, for integers $a$ and $b$.

Simplifying an expression of the form $a^3 \times (a^4)^{1/2}$ to $a^5$, where $a$ is an integer. 

Using indices rules to rewrite an expression from $\left(\frac{a^n}{b^n}\right)^{-1/n}$ to $\frac{b}{a}$.

Using indices rules to rewrite an expression from $a^\frac{m}{n}$ to $\frac{1}{b}$, for integers $a$, $b$, $m$ and $n$.

Simplifying expressions from $\left(\frac{x^m}{x^n}\right)^p$ to $x^{(m-n)p}$.

Simplifying expressions from $(ax^n)^m$ to $a^mx^{mn}$, where $a$, $m$ and $n$ are positive integers.

A collection of information and activities to introduce students to Numbas. There is some information on how Numbas works, information on how to write answers to mathematical expression and number entry parts, and a "test yourself" explore mode activity.

Note: This exam was written for students accessing Numbas exams through the Numbas LTI tool. Some of the information does not apply to exams accessed standalone or through a generic SCORM player.

This question is the one described in method 2 of the example "Apply a standard integral" in the Numbas documentation.

The student is shown a randomly chosen function to integrate. The function is one of $e^{kx}$, $x^k$, $\cos(kx)$, $\sin(kx)$, with $k$ a randomly chosen integer.

Simplifying algebraic expressions

English sentences which are propositions are given and the appropriate logical expression chosen for the negation of the sentence.

Using $\cos^2\theta+\sin^2\theta=1$ to evaluate expressions.

This question is to practice order of precedence in mathematical expressions. 

Please use * for multiplication and / for division. 

Use the BODMAS rule to determine the order in which to evaluate some arithmetic expressions. 

Derive the expressions for the shear and bending moment as functions of $x$ for a cantilever beam with a uniformly varying (triangular) load.

Given a description in words of the costs of some items in terms of an unknown cost, write down an expression for the total cost of a selection of items. Then simplify the expression, and finally evaluate it at a given point.

The word problem is about the costs of sweets in a sweet shop.

Used for LANTITE preparation (Australia). NC = Non Calculator strand. NA = Number & Algebra strand. Given a description in words of the costs of some items in terms of an unknown cost, write down an expression for the total cost of a selection of items. Then simplify the expression. The word problem is about the costs of sweets in a sweet shop. The quantity of each type of sweet is randomised.

This question was modified from a Newcastle University question.