- Start with a specific problem as a template:
Find the
derivative of #math90##tex2html_wrap_inline1264#.
- Think about variants of the problem and of the type of answers
you might want:
The actual derivative #tex2html_wrap_inline1266#, multiple choice from provided
selections, the value of the derivative at a point, the equation of
the tangent line at a point, and so on.
- Code up a problem for this specific function to test the form of
your question.
- Now think about generalizations.
- You could consider #math91##tex2html_wrap_inline1268# for ``randomly''
chosen values of #tex2html_wrap_inline1270#.
- You might consider selecting #tex2html_wrap_inline1272# from among a list of
previously chosen functions
- Code these generalizations and debug (see the section below).
Do yourself a big favor and put lots of comments in your programs,
especially if you had to do something remotely clever. It was out
of such comments that this Newbie guide was born.
- Finally, if you have made a problem with ``random''
coefficients, be sure you test the code with specific values which
run over the whole range of possible values to make sure everything
works (and appears on the screen) right.