+ Addition
- Subtraction
* Multiplication can also be indicated by a space or juxtaposition, e.g. 2x, 2 x or 2*x, also 2(3+4).
/ Division
^ or ** You can use either ^ or ** for exponentiation, e.g. 3^2 or 3**2
Parentheses: () - You can also use square brackets, [ ], and braces, { }, for grouping, e.g. [1+2]/[3(4+5)]

Syntax for entering expressions

Be careful entering expressions just as you would be careful entering expressions in a calculator.
Use the 'Preview Button' to see exactly how your entrylooks. E.g. to tell the difference between 1+2/3*4 and [1+2]/[3*4]click the 'Preview Button'.
Sometimes using the * symbol to indicate mutiplication makesthings easier to read. For example (1+2)*(3+4) and (1+2)(3+4) are bothvalid. So are 3*4 and 3 4 (3 space 4, not 34) but using a * makesthings clearer.
Use ('s and )'s to make your meaning clear. You can also use ['s and ]'s and {'s and }'s.
Don't enter 2/4+5 (which is 5.5) when you really want 2/(4+5) (which is 2/9).
Don't enter 2/3*4 (which is 8/3) when you really want 2/(3*4) (which is 2/12).
Entering big quotients with square brackets, e.g. [1+2+3+4]/[5+6+7+8], is a good practice.
Be careful when entering functions. It's always good practiceto use parentheses when entering functions. Write sin(t) instead ofsint or sin t even though WeBWorK is smart enough to usually accept sin t or even sint. For example, sin 2t is interpreted as sin(2)t, i.e. (sin(2))*t so be careful.
You can enter sin^2(t) as a short cut although mathematicallyspeaking sin^2(t) is shorthand for (sin(t))^2(the square of sin of t).(You can enter it as sin(t)^2 or even sint^2, but don't try such thingsunless you really understand the precedence of operations. The'sin' operation has highest precedence, so it is performed first, usingthe next token (i.e. t) as an argument. Then the result is squared.)You can always use the Preview button to see a typeset version of whatyou entered and check whether what you wrote was what you meant. :-)
For example 2+3sin^2(4x) will work and is equivalent to2+3(sin(4x))^2 or 2+3sin(4x)^2. Why does the last expression work?Because things in parentheses are always done first [ i.e. (4x)], nextall functions, such as sin, are evaluated [giving sin(4x)], next allexponents are taken [giving sin(4x)^2], next all multiplications anddivisions are performed in order from left to right [giving3sin(4x)^2], and finally all additions and subtractions are performed[giving 2+3sin(4x)^2].
Is -5^2 positive or negative? It's negative. This is becausethe square operation is done before the negative sign is applied. Use(-5)^2 if you want to square negative 5.
When in doubt use parentheses!!! :-)
The complete rules for the precedence of operations, in addition to the above, are
- Multiplications and divisions are performed left to right: 2/3*4 = (2/3)*4 = 8/3.
- Additions and subtractions are performed left to right: 1-2+3 = (1-2)+3 = 2.
- Exponents are taken right to left: 2^3^4 = 2^(3^4) = 2^81 = a big number.
Use the 'Preview Button' to see exactly how your entrylooks. E.g. to tell the difference between 1+2/3*4 and [1+2]/[3*4]click the 'Preview Button'.

Mathematical Constants Available In WeBWorK

pi This gives 3.14159265358979, e.g. cos(pi) is -1
e This gives 2.71828182845905, e.g. ln(e*2) is 1 + ln(2)

Scientific Notation Available In WeBWorK

2.1E2 is the same as 210
2.1E-2 is the same as .021

Mathematical Functions Available In WeBWorK

Note that sometimes one or more of these functions is disabled for a WeBWorK problem because the instructor wants you to calculate the answer by some means other than just using the function.

abs( ) The absolute value
cos( ) Note: cos( ) uses radian measure
sin( ) Note: sin( ) uses radian measure
tan( ) Note: tan( ) uses radian measure
sec( ) Note: sec( ) uses radian measure
cot( ) Note: cot( ) uses radian measure
csc( ) Note: csc( ) uses radian measure
exp( ) The same function as e^x
log( ) This is usually the natural log but your professor may have redined this as log to the base 10
ln( ) The natural log
logten( ) The log to the base 10
arcsin( )
asin( ) or sin^-1() Another name for arcsin
arccos( )
acos( ) or cos^-1() Another name for arccos
arctan( )
atan( ) or tan^-1() Another name for arctan
arccot( )
acot( ) or cot^-1() Another name for arccot
arcsec( )
asec( ) or sec^-1() Another name for arcsec
arccsc( )
acsc( ) or csc^-1() Another name for arccsc
sinh( )
cosh( )
tanh( )
sech( )
csch( )
coth( )
arcsinh( )
asinh( ) or sinh^-1() Another name for arcsinh
arccosh( )
acosh( ) or cosh^-1()Another name for arccosh
arctanh( )
atanh( ) or tanh^-1()Another name for arctanh
arcsech( )
asech( ) or sech^-1()Another name for arcsech
arccsch( )
acsch( ) or csch^-1() Another name for arccsch
arccoth( )
acoth( ) or coth^-1() Another name for arccoth
sqrt( )
n! (n factorial -- defined for nonnegative integers)
These functions may not always be available for every problem.
- sgn( ) The sign function, either -1, 0, or 1
- step(x) The step function (0 if x < 0, and 1 if x ≥ 0)
- fact(n) The factorial function n! (defined only for nonnegative integers)
- P(n,k) = n*(n-1)*(n-2)...(n-k+1) the number of ordered sequences of k elements chosen from n elements
- C(n,k) = 'n choose k' the number of unordered sequences of k elements chosen from n elements

For more information:http://webwork.maa.org/wiki/Available_Functions