Formula Equation Bug

[apetruska]

In formula equations the user can specify what 'variables' are to be used. For example [e] indicates that e might be used as a variable to be randomly assigned. 

e shows up in the list of randomly assigned variables. For example, the equation could be entered as 

4*e  and the the random value of e displayed might be 7, but the result is 19.03... 

This is because the back end uses the constant e (as in natural-log) not the randomly assigned value and displayed value of e. I assume that also would be the case for pi or any other constant that might exist in the system.

Either the system should not allow built-in constants to be a variable, and a warning displayed. Or the the constant-value should be overwritten for this problem scope.

[Stef_retired]

@apetruska 

Are you experiencing this behavior in New Quizzes?

[apetruska]

@Stef_retired 

Yes. This is a problem with new quizzes as of 8-27-2020.

[Stef_retired]

@apetruska 

Thanks for confirming that. Would you please provide the case number for your interaction with Canvas Support?

[apetruska]

@Stef_retired 

06389017

[Stef_retired]

@apetruska 

Thanks. I've spoken to our support supervisor and they would like to continue to work with you on the case; you will receive an update on it today. If it is indeed confirmed as a bug, it will be handled by support.

Support has also confirmed that you experienced this in an Old (Classic) Quiz. Our product teams are no longer developing new functionality on the code base for Old (Classic) Quizzes, which is scheduled to be deprecated early next year, so after you've had a chance to use New Quizzes in your courses, feel free to share your suggestions for improvement to the new quiz tool here.