Canvas Formula Quiz Question Helper Functions

Canvas requires users to manually input formulas when creating formula quiz questions with variables. The
Formula Definition ​section of the formula quiz question builder includes a text field where users must define the
quiz question formula (see image below).

For more information about using the Math Editor in the Rich Content Editor to build formula quiz questions, view
additional PDF resources: ​How do I use the Math Editor in the Rich Content Editor?​, ​Canvas​ ​Equation​ ​Editor​ ​Tips:​
​Basic View​ and ​Canvas​ ​Equation​ ​Editor​ ​Tips:​ ​Advanced​ ​View​.

Helper Functions
Use the helper functions listed below to build formulas in the Formula Definition section of the Formula question
quiz question creator.

Notes:
● All functions accept only numeric parameters.
● All trigonometric function calculations are performed in radians. To convert to or from degrees, use the
deg_to_rad( ) or rad_to_deg( ) functions.
● The Formula Definition text field does not designate definable variables with square brackets.
● Variables must start with a letter and may be followed by any combination of letters and numbers. Keep
in mind that variable names are case sensitive and characters other than letters and numbers are not
recognized.
● In the Formula Definition text field, Canvas translates the entry of the letter “e” as the constant e.

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 Canvas Formula Quiz Question Helper Functions

● Helper functions can be nested. For an example of nested helper functions, see the entry for At in the
table below.
● Several functions operate on a list of numbers. Unless otherwise noted, the list parameter is defined with
a comma-separated list of values or with a nested reverse( ) or sort( ) function. For example, use either
median (x1, x2, x3) or median(reverse(x3,x2,x1)).
● To negate an expression in the Formula Definition field, multiply the function by -1. For example, type
-1*sqrt(5x).

Name Helper Function Notes

Absolute Value abs(x) ● Returns the absolute value of a given value

Arccosine acos(x) ● Returns the inverse cosine of a real number ​x​ as a radian measure

Arcsine asin(x) ● Returns the inverse sine of a real number ​x​ as a radian measure

At at(list, index) ● Returns the indexed value in the given list

● Create the list portion of this function by nesting the sort( ) or reverse( )
functions within the at( ) function. For example: at(reverse(x1, x2, x3), n-1)
● The first value in the list is at index 0

Arctangent atan(x) ● Returns the inverse tangent of a real number ​x​ as a radian measure
● This function does not support two parameters

Ceiling ceil(x) ● Returns the smallest integer greater than or equal to the given value

Combination comb(n, k) ● Returns the number of combinations when ​k​ is chosen from a group of ​n

Cosine cos(radians) ● Returns the cosine of the given value

Cosecant cosec(radians) ● Returns the cosecant of the given value

Cotangent cotan(radians) ● Returns the cotangent of the given value

Count count(list) ● Returns the number of items in the list

Degrees to Radians deg_to_rad(degrees) ● Converts an angle ​x​ from degrees into radians by multiplying by 𝜋/180

Euler’s Number, ​e e ● Returns the value for e

● Though parentheses may be used with this function, Canvas translates
the entry of the letter “e” as the constant e

Factorial fact(n) ● Returns the factorial of the given integer

● If ​n​ is not an integer, then only the numbers before the decimal point are
used.
● If ​n ​input is negative, then 1 is returned

First first(list) ● Returns the first value in the list

Floor floor(x) ● Returns the smallest integer less than or equal to the given value

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 Canvas Formula Quiz Question Helper Functions

If if(bool, success, fail) ● If the first expression evaluates to a non-zero value, then it returns the
second value, otherwise it returns the third value

Last last(list) ● Returns the last value in the list

Length length(list) ● Returns the number of arguments in the given list

Logarithm (natural) ln(x) ● Returns the natural log of the given value

Logarithm (common) log(x, [base]) ● Returns the log of the given value with an optional base

Maximum max(list) ● Returns the highest value in the list

Mean mean(list) ● Returns the arithmetic mean or average of the values in the list

Median median(list) ● Returns the median for the list of values

Minimum min(list) ● Returns the lowest value in the list

Permutation perm(n, k) ● Returns the permutation result for the given values

Pi, 𝛑 pi( ) ● Returns the computed value of pi

Radians to Degrees rad_to_deg(radians) ● Converts an angle ​x​ from radians to degrees by multiplying by 180/𝜋

Random rand(x) ● Returns a random number between zero and the range specified, or one
if no number is given

Range range(list) ● Returns the range for the list of values

Reverse reverse(list) ● Reverses the order of the list of values

Round round(x) ● Returns the given value rounded to the nearest whole number

Secant sec(radians) ● Returns the secant of the given value

Sine sin(radians) ● Returns the sine of the given value

Sort sort(list) ● Returns the list of values, sorted from lowest to highest

Square Root sqrt(x) ● Returns the square root of the given real number ​x
● To obtain the negative square root, use -1*sqrt(x)

Sum sum(list) ● Returns the sum of the list of values

Tangent tan(radians) ● Returns the tangent of the given value

© Canvas 2018 | guides.canvaslms.com | updated 2018-01-27 Page 3