## WeBWorK Problems

### Answer boxes in TeX mode

by David Covert -
Number of replies: 4
Hi.

I am wondering if there is a way in which I could put an answer box in TeX mode.  To be specific, I am writing problems for an algebra course, and I would like the students to be able to enter answers underneath a radical symbol (square root, cube root, etc.).

I found a feature called tex_ans_rule, though I have not been able to implement this (a document describing tex_ans_rule states that "C<tex_ans_rule> works inside math equations in C<HTML_tth> mode. It does not work in C<Latex2HTML> since this mode produces gif pictures").

Is there any way to have answer boxes underneath radical signs, or in TeX mode in general?

Thank you.

### Re: Answer boxes in TeX mode

by Michael Gage -
I think you can use the same technique used to put answer blanks in integral limits.

"problem techniques" subsection of the wiki (in the Author section).

### Re: Answer boxes in TeX mode

by David Covert -
Michael,

Thank you for your reply.  I tried playing around with both the "LimitsOfIntegration" and "Answer in Exponent" problems, and I did not succeed in producing the desired result.  I believe the problem is that the code $$\sqrt{ \hspace{3em} }$$ produces an image of a square root, and no answer box can be placed on an image.  I think that I will just have to more creative in the way I ask the homework problems.

David Covert

### Re: Answer boxes in TeX mode

by Arnold Pizer -
Hi,

The main problem is that in images mode (the default display mode) equations are displayed as png images and you can not put an answer box in a png image. I'm not sure if there is a way to get something working using MathJax.  tex_ans_rule worked with a mode (tth) that way outdated and no longer used. Actually all the code is still in WeBWorK to use tth but I would not reccomend using it.

I think the best you can do is something like
$$\sqrt{\hspace{.5em}}$$\{ans_rule(5)\}
which is similar to what Mike is referring to.  You probably want the answer box under the radical sign, but since in images mode the radical sign is a png image, I think that is impossible.

Arnie