How do I create a Desmos volume & surface area item?

In Mastery Connect, if your institution has a paid Desmos upgrade, you can create a volume & surface area question. A volume & surface area question requires students to manipulate the parameters of a rectangle to illustrate volume and surface area in response to a stimulus. After you select the question type, you can use the math editor to add details for the question, view a student preview, and validate answers.

You can create any item type through the Item Editor. You can also use the Item Editor to add passages, add item-level tools, and save the item. To open and use the Item Editor, learn more about:

Note: If you do not see the Desmos Items (Paid Upgrade) section in the Question Type drop-down menu, your institution does not have a paid Desmos upgrade.

Compose Question

Compose Question

In the Item Editor, type in the Compose Question field [1]. To add math equations and expressions, click the Add Math icon [2] and use the options to enter the expression details.

Set Example Answer

Set Example Answer

To set an example answer, click and drag the points to the correct positions.

Set Properties

Set Properties

To adjust the question parameters, select options from the question properties [1].

To view additional question options, click the More options drop-down menu [2].

Modify Graph and More Options

Modify Graph and More Options

In the Modify Graph section, click and drag the points to create a graph for students to start with when answering the question [1]. You can modify graph settings, expressions, and parameters.

To define parameters for the graph, type in the Expression fields [2].

To adjust font size, click the Font size drop-down menu and select a size option [3].

Validate Answers

Validate Answers

To preview the item interaction, click and drag the points to a new location on the graph. [1].

The number of points awarded for the item as answered in the preview window over the number of points possible displays in the scoring bubble [2].

To view correct and incorrect answers, click the Show Answers checkbox [3].