Require simplified answers in a fraction addition question

In this tutorial, you'll build on the previous fraction addition question to learn how to require answers in simplified form by creating a question in LearningLemur that only accepts answers written as simplified fractions.

Before you begin

Prerequisites 

• You should be comfortable working with basic fractions
• You should have completed Create an open-answer fraction addition question

Requirements

• A teacher account with permission to create questions in LearningLemur, accessed through learninglemur.com or your LMS

Steps

Step 0 — Create or open a quiz

Why: LearningLemur organises all questions inside quizzes, so creating a quiz first provides the workspace where you will add and manage your questions.

1. Open LearningLemur.
2. Open an existing quiz or create a new one.

Checkpoint: You should now see the quiz workspace with options to add questions.

Step 1 — Add a new question

Why: LearningLemur allows you to create questions either manually or with the help of AI. In this tutorial, we will create the question manually to understand how the editor works.

1. Inside the quiz, click Add question.
2. In the creation dialog, choose Manually.
3. Select the Open answer question.

This question type allows students to enter a mathematical expression using the math editor.

Checkpoint: You should see the Open Answer question editor, including fields for the title, statement, and answers.

Step 2 — Write the question statement

Why: The statement explains the problem students must solve.

1. Enter a Question title, for example: Sum of two fractions: simplified answer.
2. In the Question statement, write the exercise text.

You can use the MathType editor to format fractions using mathematical notation.

Checkpoint: The question should now display the fraction expression inside the statement area. It should also display a note reminding that simplifying the answer is required.

Step 3 — Define the correct answer

Why: LearningLemur needs to know the expected solution in order to evaluate student responses.

1. Scroll to the Answers section.
2. In the first answer field, enter the correct answer.
3. Mark this answer as a Correct answer.

LearningLemur will compare student responses with this expression using the mathematical evaluation engine.

Checkpoint: You should see the answer marked as a correct answer (100%).

Step 4 — Require a simplified answer

Why: By default, LearningLemur accepts mathematically equivalent expressions such as 6/4 and 3/2. In this tutorial, we will require students to provide the simplified fraction.

1. Click Edit in the Evaluation options section.
2. Ensure Mathematically equal is selected.
3. In the Answer settings, enable Simplified.

This setting ensures that the expression cannot be further simplified. For example:

If you want to reject decimal answers, disable the Allow decimal numbers option in the evaluation settings.

 

Checkpoint: The evaluation summary should indicate that Simplified answers are required.

Step 5 — Preview the question

Why: Previewing allows you to test the question exactly as students will see it.

1. Click Preview question.
2. Test different answers, such as:
   1. 6/4
   2. 3/2
3. Check that:
   1. 6/4 is marked incorrect
   2. 3/2 is marked correct

Checkpoint: The system should mark correct results as correct.

You're done

You have learned how to restrict answer validation so that only simplified fractions are accepted. You now know how to:

• Configure mathematical evaluation rules.
• Enforce simplified answers.
• Test validation using preview.

Next, you can continue learning with the following tutorials:

• Create a randomized fraction addition question
• Create partial scoring when units are missing

Troubleshooting

A correct fraction is marked as incorrect.
Check that the evaluation option is set to Mathematically equal, not Literally equal.

An equivalent fraction, such as 6/4 is still accepted.
Check that the Simplified option is enabled in the evaluation settings.

A decimal answer is accepted.
If you want to accept only fractional answers, disable the Allow decimal numbers option in the evaluation settings.