Writing Exams using Mathematica

Eric Schulz, Mathematics

Walla Walla Community College
Walla Walla, Washington, US
eric@wwcc.edu
http://math.wwcc.edu/eric

Abstract

Educators are faced the time consuming task of writing assignments, quizzes, and exams for their math/science students frequently. Learn how to leverage the strengths of Mathematica using a custom designed palette and stylesheet to become more efficient at creating these documents. Automatic numbering of problems and subproblems, quick vertical spacing between tasks for student work, working with page breaks, quick and flexible creation of rectangular and polar graph paper using a Manipulate graphic created by a single button click, structures that automatically center and align one or more lines of mathematical equations, inequalties, or expressions, and more are supported by the ExamWriting palette and Exam stylesheet. Techniques for using Mathematica's symbolic and graphic capabilities for problem creation will also be shared. The palette, stylesheet, and supporting material will be provided.