Nubric answer tolerance and decimal handling

Reference for how decimal values are handled and how tolerance is applied when evaluating student answers in numerical questions.

Summary

Nubric evaluates numerical answers by comparing the student's answer to the expected correct value. The evaluation depends on whether decimal numbers are allowed and on the configured tolerance (error margin).

Location

• Nubric question editor → Answers section → Edit (Evaluation options)

Availability

• Nubric

Default

• Decimal numbers: Enabled.
• Error margin: 0.1 % error.

Parameters

Allow decimal numbers

Error margin (tolerance)

Percent error

The student's answer has an n% error margin with respect to the correct answer. An answer will be marked as correct if the student's answer falls within the defined tolerance interval around the correct answer.

Absolute error

The student's answer has a margin of error of n. An answer will be marked as correct if the student's answer falls within the defined tolerance interval around the correct answer.

Behavior

How answer comparison works

When a student submits a numerical answer, Nubric compares it to the expected correct value. The evaluation depends on:

• Whether decimal numbers are allowed.
• The configured error margin.

What happens when enabled

• Students can submit decimal answers (e.g. 2.5, 3.14).

What happens when disabled

• Only integer values are accepted (e.g. 2, 10).
• If decimal numbers are not allowed, any non-integer answer is considered incorrect.

Examples

Percent error

For instance, if the correct answer is 12.345.

Absolute error

For instance, if the correct answer is 12.345.

Notes

• Nubric currently supports only absolute and relative tolerance (error margin).
• Advanced options, such as significant figures or decimal-place constraints, are not available.

Related articles

• Nubric evaluation options.
• Create a randomized right-triangle hypotenuse question with tolerance.