http://www.math.umd.edu/undergraduate/webassign/
WebAssign at the University of Maryland Math Department
WebAssign is an on-line homework system used in Math 115, 115B, 140, 140B, and 141. WebAssign
was created by professors at North Carolina State University.
Please read through the directions below before logging into WebAssign.
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Logging into the WebAssign system
❍ Go to http://www.webassign.net/student.html or to
http://www.webassign.net/login.
html
❍ To log in:
■ your username is your Maryland UID. This is usually a string of letters, often your
first initial and last name. Even if you are a a returning Webassign user, you may
have a new account with this name. If not, then you will reuse your old account.
Finally, if you are using Webassign in a physics class you may use the same
account for both classes, so contact your physics professor for your login name and
password.
■ your institution is umd
■ your password is your nine-digit student number
Payment:
❍ There are two methods of payment: credit card, or at the bookstore. You will see more
information about this when you log on to webassign. The cost is $9.95 (per semester).
Selecting an Assignment
❍ Once you have successfully logged in, you will see an assignment list with information
such as how many tries you have to complete each problem and when the assignment is
due.
❍ Select the assignment you want to work on.
Question Types - Within WebAssign there are different types of questions that can be asked,
including Multiple Choice, Numerical, and Symbolic. Each type of question should be handled
slightly differently.
❍ Mutiple Choice
■ Appearance: The question will be followed by a list of possible solutions. Next to
each will be a square containing a circle called a radio button.
■ Use: Radio buttons only allow you to select one answer. If you try to select more
than one, only the last answer you select will be counted.
■ Example: Problem 1 of the Assignment WA1.
❍ Multiple Select
■ Appearance: Like Multiple choice questions, Multiple Select Questions will be
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followed by a list of possible answers. However, next to each possible answer will
be a square checkbox.
■ Use: A checkbox allows you to choose more than one answer. To get the problem
correct you must check all of the correct answers. If you check an answer and then
decide this answer is not correct, simply click on the box again and the check will
disappear.
■ Example: Problem 2 of the Assignment WA1.
Numerical, Symbolic, and Fill-in-the-blank
■ Appearance: Numerical, Symbolic, and Fill-in-the-Blank questions will all appear
the same on the screen. Somewhere within or at the end of the problem, you will
see a rectangular box.
■ Use: Clicking in the box will allow you to enter your answer.
How do I know the difference? If the question asks for an answer which is a word, then
this is a fill in the blank question. If the question says that you may use specific variables
or constants within your answer, then it is a symbolic question. Otherwise, it is a
Numerical question.
Things to keep in mind:
❍ Fill-in-the-Blanks are not case sensitive but be very careful to enter the answer with the
correct spelling.
❍ Symbolic questions are case sensitive. If the question states that you may use the variable
"t" if you use "T," then your answer will graded as wrong.
❍ Numerical questions accept only numbers. You may not use any type of variable or
function within your answer.
❍ After answering all the questions, submit your assignment. Be aware of the maximum
number of times you can submit the assignment (this may vary with the assignment).
Formatting:
❍ Some of the symbols within the problems might look unusually large or small compared
to the text
❍ The equations seem to be wrapping around and becoming jumbled and unreadable.
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The symbols within your assignments have been formatted to match a reasonable text
size. If your computer web browser is not set to this size you may have trouble reading the
problems. To change this setting, you must change the text size in your browser
preferences. Here is how you would do this in Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator:
■ Internet Explorer
■ Open the View menu at the top of the browser window.
■ Select Text Size from this menu.
■ Set the text size to Largest.
■ Netscape Navigator
■ Open the Edit menu at the top of the browser window.
■ Select Preferences from this menu.
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Select Font within the window that opens.
■ Set the Font Size to 18 (both variable and fixed width).
❍ Most of the problems within your assignments were created using some sort of formatting
table. If your browser window is too small, this can cause the equations to line up
improperly. To fix this, you should maximize your window by clicking on the maximize
button in the top right hand corner of the window.
Browser Troubleshooting
Cache
❍ When a browser downloads a webpage it is stored in cache files. If your browser doesn't
seem to be showing current information you should try to clear you browser cache. Here
are instructions on how to do this for various browsers.
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Cookies
❍ A cookie is data that a web site writes to your computer when you go to their site.
WebAssign requires you accept cookies from their website here are instructions on how to
do this.
More information: See the WebAssign Student Guide.
Math Department | Undergraduate
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