This problem demonstrates how you enter numerical answers into WeBWorK.

Evaluate the expression $0(-8 )(7 -3 -2(9 ))$:

In the case above you need to enter a number, since we're testing whether you can multiply out these numbers. (You can use a calculator if you want.)

---

For most problems, you will be able to get WeBWorK to do some of the work for you. For example,
calculate (-8) * (7):

The asterisk is what most computers use to denote multiplication and you can use this with WeBWorK. But WeBWorK will also allow you to use a space to denote multiplication. You can either $-8 * 7$ or -56. All will work. Try them.

---

Now try calculating the square root of 7. You can enter this as sqrt(7), or as 7^(1/2). This is because WeBWorK knows about functions like sqrt (square root), and that roots can be taken using exponents. Note, exponents can be entered with either a ^ (caret) or ** (two asterisks). Try it.
$\sqrt{7} =$

---

WeBWorK knows most of the standard mathematical functions. It can compute base 10 logarithms with log and natural logarithms with ln. If your course involves trigonometric functions, it can evaluate those as well. Note, for trig functions WeBWorK always uses radian mode. Here's the list of the functions which WeBWorK understands, many of which you will not need for your course.

You can also use juxtaposition to denote multiplication. E.g. enter $2\ln(5e/3)$. You can enter this as 2*ln(5*e/3) or more simply as 2ln(5e/3). Try it:

---

Sometimes you need to use ( )'s to make your meaning clear. E.g. 1/2+3 is 3.5, but 1/(2+3) is .2 Why? Try entering both and use the "Preview" button below to see the difference. In addition to ( )'s, you can also use [ ]'s and $\lbrace \rbrace$.
$(1/2) + 3 =$

---

When entering numbers, leave off units (or dollar signs for money) unless the problem directs to to do otherwise. For example, if we want to know how much money you will have if you collect $ 100 from 200 people, the answer is $ 20,000. When entering this value, you should just give 20000 (or 100*200, or anything else which evaluates to 20000).
$ 100 from 200 people yields $

---

You can always try to enter answers and let WeBWorK do the calculating. Or, if you have trouble with the syntax of entering expressions, you can compute most answers on your calculator and then type the answer into WeBWorK. If you do, just be sure to include lots of decimal places (including the first 5 non-zero places should be safe).

In general, there is no penalty for getting an answer wrong. If you are limited in the number of attempts you get for a problem, you will be warned by the problem itself (this could happen, for example, on a true/false question). What counts is that you get the answer right eventually (before the due date).

Rembember, for complicated answers you should use the "Preview" button to check for syntax errors and also to check that the answer you enter is really what you think it is.