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Same problem + different problem set = different seed?

Same problem + different problem set = different seed?

by Murphy Waggoner -
Number of replies: 2
Hi,

I want to create a review problem set with some problems from previous problem sets that students got incorrect.  The purpose is to help them prepare for the exam.

Will Webwork assign different seeds for the problems in this new problem set?

Thanks,

Murphy
In reply to Murphy Waggoner

Re: Same problem + different problem set = different seed?

by Hedley Pinsent -
Yes, most definitely (99.999999% of the time)

The randomness happens at assign time; I believe it comes form perl and am not sure the exact algorithm but can only guess that it may involve the temperature of the processor and the time of day.

Sometimes extra effort is made to stop this randomness; for example SRAND(1234) for example, close to the top of the pg code will ensure everyone gets the same version.

In reply to Hedley Pinsent

Re: Same problem + different problem set = different seed?

by Danny Glin -
You can manually copy the random seed from the old assignment to the new assignment, but this would have to be done for each problem for each student.

It is likely possible to automate this using either wwsh or direct database queries, but this would be a hack, so it might be a little dangerous.