Without seeing the question...
It's perfectly normal to require the answer to be given in fractions instead of decimals if the question is given in fractions.
this post was submitted on 18 Oct 2025
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That's absolutely stupid if you're talking about a number that can be represented exactly in both notations.
Unless the course or assignment is specifically about fractions.
At least I was thought to use the same format for results as the assignment.
It's reasonable to assume that this assignment wasn't specifically on fractions, based on the meme itself; the rage only makes sense in a world where they weren't instructed to present their answers in a particular format.
Online assessments can be pretty jarring because for paper assessments marked by a teacher, you're usually fine to present whatever format is most convenient. The exceptions include: if the question asked for you for a specific format; if you gave a rounded answer where it wasn't appropriate (e.g. giving the answer "1.57 (3s.f.)" instead of "π/2"); or rounding an answer to the wrong level, or not being clear about what level of rounding you've done.
Whilst it is possible that the online assessment specified what format answers should be in, I've seen plenty of assessments where it doesn't make that clear, and then is overly rigid in what it accepts. I've even seen assessments where I go "okay, I guess I shouldn't give my answer as a decimal", and then I give a fraction for the next answer, only to be told that the correct answer is what I said, but in decimal form. It would be logical that if in doubt, one should present answers in the same format as what the question itself uses, even if the question doesn't specify you should use a particular format. Unfortunately, even this is not a safe strategy. I cannot emphasise enough how shitty the Pearson online assessments are, and I am baffled at how they are able to continue existing when they're effectively scamming maths departments into paying for this trash.
Calculators can make decimal easy and fractions hard when doing it yourself fractions are much easier it's an anti-cheat of sorts
Edit: I'm getting a lot of flak for something explicitly stated in a text book, yeah some calculators can but they are less common especially in grade school and it could just be a carry over from time's when calculators couldn't, my point is that this isn't some random theory it's a real thing real text books have done.
Yeah... because you cant just calculate the decimal from fractions with a calculator...
Only if that requirement is explicitly stated in the question.
what is normal about that stupid requirement?
i played those stupid games and got my As but fuck do i not miss those online grade math sites
Calculators can make decimal easy and fractions hard when doing it yourself fractions are much easier it's an anti-cheat of sorts
Modern calculators can switch modes between decimal and fractions. It's pretty irrelevant.
Also, someone may do the problem themselves using any number of means that involve decimals. Or maybe they simply prefer to write in decimal. Either way, the program is simply wrong.
I heavily doubt this is the reason. It would fail so many honest users while catching a few cheaters. And the cheaters could easily avoid getting caught by using the correct mode on a decent calculator.
That's a stupid and miss interpretable notation
Yep, 40 x 1/4 is ten.
The correct answer would be 10 right?
40 × 0.25 = 10
There is no plus in there and empty space turns into a multiplication by default.
No, that's a way to represent a fraction's integer part.
Depends on culture and level of education. For someone who comes from a culture where we use decimals, I'd interpret this in the math/physics class way, i.e. 10.
Yes, with no previous context or warning I would assume the same, but regardless, the notation exists.
Might be. I've never seen it used that way, though, I know that some people prefer parentheses around the fraction to the right of integers.
That said, even Wolframalpha appears to disagree, which I find mildly funny if what you say is true.
EDIT: Just realized something even more damning. If you input it into Wolframalpha using math input, it just assumes addition (lol). Yeah, I might have to read up on this.
Might be. I've never seen it used that way, though, I know that some people prefer parentheses around the fraction to the right of integers.
I learned at grade/primary school, it's useful as a teaching tool for fractions. Although, I do recall using something similar for partial fractions in college.
That said, even Wolframalpha appears to disagree, which I find mildly funny if what you say is true.
Yes, but no. That notation is the dumbest one ever. Everywhere else a juxtaposition implies multiplication, except for fractions with integers to the left.
Who uses whole number with a fraction anyway?! This is either 40x(1/4) or 401/4 MADNESS!
It’s a very common notation in North American recipes.
- 3 1/4 cups of flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp baking soda
Etc!
Yea but even your example has a space. This one doesn't. And the other 2 are whole numbers.
duckduckgo ~~en passant~~ mixed fractions
I'm gonna go build my own math! With hookers and blackjack!
While it could be read as 40*(1/4), it actually means 40+1/4. 401/4 would be true madness.
Both are wrong, correct answer is 39 5/4 (obsviously)
We also would have accepted:
40.250
is it just me who actually learnt mixed fractions/decimals in class?
I gave up on khan academy after having this happen enough times.
Having PTSD from dealing with mastering physics years ago which also happens to be a Pearson thing too.