DOCUMENT();

loadMacros(
  "PGstandard.pl",
  "contextFraction.pl",
  "PGML.pl"
);

TEXT(beginproblem());

Context("LimitedFraction");

# randomize the base
$base = random(-5,5,1);

# to avoid undefined fractions
do {
  $exp = random(-3,3,1);
} until ($base != 0 || $exp > 0);

# with a 50/50 chance of a leading negative
$negative = random(0,1,1);

# used to store the answer to the problem
if ($base != 0) {
  $ans = (Fraction($base,1) ** $exp)->cmp(studentsMustReduceFractions => 1);
} else {
  $ans = (Fraction($base,1) ** $exp);
}

# used to render the power in the problem statement
$problem = "$base^{$exp}";

# if the base is negative, put brackets around it
if ($base < 0) {
  $problem = "($base)^{$exp}";
} else {
  $problem = "$base^{$exp}";
}

# make the power negative half the time
if ($negative == 1) {
  $problem = "-$problem";
  $ans = -$ans;
}

BEGIN_PGML

Simplify the fraction [`[$problem]`].  Be sure to write your answer as a single fraction in lowest terms.

Answer: [___]{$ans}

END_PGML

ENDDOCUMENT();