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{{Managing grades}}
{{Managing grades}}
A grade calculation is a formula used to determine grades, based (optionally) on other grade items. Note that this is not the same as [[Calculated_question_type|Calculated question types]].
A grade calculation is a formula used to determine grades, based on other grade items. Note that this is not the same as [[Calculated_question_type|Calculated question types]].


Calculations for the gradebook follow the pattern of formulas/functions in popular spreadsheet programs. They start with an equal (=) sign, and use common mathematical operators and functions to produce a single numerical output. This output is then used as the computed value for the grade item you are editing.
Grade calculations follow the pattern of formulas/functions in popular spreadsheet programs. They start with an equal (=) sign, and use common mathematical operators and functions to produce a single numerical output. This output is then used as the computed value for the grade item you are editing.


Conditional (IF) operators can be used in grade calculations of the grade book, and logical operators (AND,OR) can be also used (MDL-64414).
==Setting a grade calculation==
==Setting a grade calculation==
[[Image:neweditcalculation.png|thumb|Edit calculation setting]]
[[File:Edit Grade Calculation.png|alt=|thumb|Edit calculation setting]]
[[Image:newcalculationgrade.png|thumb|Example calculation]]
[[Image:newcalculationgrade.png|thumb|Example calculation]]
To set a grade calculation:
To set a grade calculation:
# Login as teacher or other user with permission to edit grades
# Login as teacher or other user with permission to edit grades
# Click on Grades in the course administration block
# Click on Grades in the course administration block
# Click the 'Categories and items'  
# Click 'View > Grader Report'
# Click the 'Edit settings' and then 'Edit calculation'. Note: if you don't see this, then it must be enabled in ''Site administration>Grades>Report settings>Grader report''
# Click 'Turn Editing On'; a 'Controls' bar should appear above the grades
# Click the 'Calculator' icon above the grade item or category you wish to edit. Note: if you don't see this, then it must be enabled in ''Site administration>Grades>Report settings>Grader report>Show calculations''
# Start with an equal sign (=)
# Start with an equal sign (=)
# Type an expression using numbers, arithmetic opertors, mathematical functions and ID numbers; for example <nowiki>=average()</nowiki>
# Type an expression using numbers, arithmetic operators, mathematical functions and ID numbers; for example <nowiki>=average()</nowiki>
# Plug in your ID numbers enclosed in double square brackets, for example <nowiki>=[[item1]]+[[item2]]</nowiki>
# Plug in your ID numbers (see below) enclosed in double square brackets, for example <nowiki>=[[item1]]+[[item2]]</nowiki>
# Separate each ID number with a comma, for example <nowiki>=average([[item1]], [[item2]])+[[item3]]</nowiki>
# Separate each function argument with a comma, as in <nowiki>=average([[item1]], [[item2]])+[[item3]])</nowiki>
# Click the "Save Changes" button
# Click the "Save Changes" button
==Assigning ID numbers==
==Assigning ID numbers==
You can include the values of other grade items by using their ID number as references in your formulas. The ID number must be surrounded by double square brackets, for example if you have a grade item with Quiz.3 as ID number, you can refer this item using <nowiki>[[Quiz.3]]</nowiki> in your calculation.


You can include the values of other grade items by using their ID number as references in your formulas. The ID number is surrounded by double square brackets, for example if you have a grade item with Quiz.3 as ID number, you will refer to this item as <nowiki>[[Quiz.3]]</nowiki> in your calculation.
Below the calculation field there is a list of your course grade categories and grade items. Next to each item or category's total there is the ID number you can use in your calculation (already surrounded with the required double square brackets).
 
Below the calculation field is a list of your course with its grade categories and grade items. Next to each item or category's total is displayed the ID number you can use in your calculation (already surrounded with double square brackets). However, since the ID number is optional, some items may not yet have one. These items without an ID number have instead a form field which lets you enter an ID number directly.


As soon as you have assigned the ID numbers you need, you can click the "Add ID numbers" button, and the page will reload and show you the same list with the ID numbers you have just assigned.
However, since ID numbers are optional, some items may not yet have one. Each item without ID number have a form field that you can use to enter its ID number directly. As soon as you have assigned the ID numbers you need, you must click the "Add ID numbers" button; the page will reload and show you the same list including the ID numbers you have just assigned. Now you can use them in your grade calculation.


'''Note''': Moodle does not allow calculations involving no ID numbers.
==Calculation functions==
==Calculation functions==
Every grade calculation must start with an equal sign (=) followed by an expression using operators and functions supported by the system.
All common arithmetic operators are supported
* addition, using the plus (+) sign
* subtraction, using the minus (-) sign
* multiplication, using the asterisk (*) character
* division, using the slash (/) character
* exponentiation, using the caret (^) character
with their usual evaluation precedence rules: exponentiations are evaluated first, then multiplications and divisions are performed, finally additions and subtraction are carried out; so, the expression =1+2-3*4/5^6 gives almost 3 (2,999232). Different precedences can be forced using round parentheses, as in the expression =((((1+2)-3)*4)/5)^6 which yields 0.


Every calculation must start with an equal sign (=). Following is a list of the functions supported by the calculation. The comma (,) character is used to separate arguments within function brackets. The comma can also be used to separate different functions. (The separator character could be a semicolon (;) in other [[Language|languages]], see below).
Functions can also appear in expressions, using a separator between their arguments listed within round brackets.  
 
<div class="alert alert-danger">Important:
* average<nowiki>([[item1]], [[item2]]...)</nowiki>: Returns the average of a sample
<ul><li>For the English language pack this separator is a comma (,).</li>
<li>For other [[Language|languages]] the separator could be a different character, for example a semicolon (;).</li></ul></div>
* average<nowiki>([[item1]], [[item2]]...)</nowiki>: Returns the average of the values in a list of arguments
* ceil(number): Maps a real number to the smallest following integer
* floor(number): Maps a real number to the largest previous integer
* if<nowiki>([[item1]], [[item2]], [[item3]]):</nowiki> Evaluates the first argument (condition) and returns the second argument if the condition is not zero (true condition) and returns the third argument if the condition is zero (false condition).
* max<nowiki>([[item1]], [[item2]]...)</nowiki>: Returns the maximum value in a list of arguments
* max<nowiki>([[item1]], [[item2]]...)</nowiki>: Returns the maximum value in a list of arguments
* min<nowiki>([[item1]], [[item2]]...):</nowiki> Returns the minimum value in a list of arguments
* min<nowiki>([[item1]], [[item2]]...)</nowiki>: Returns the minimum value in a list of arguments
* mod(dividend, divisor): Calculates the remainder of a division
* mod(dividend, divisor): Calculates the remainder of a division
* pi(): Returns the value of the number Pi
* pi(): Returns the value of the number Pi (3.14159265...)
* power(base, power): Raises a number to the power of another
* power(base, exponent): Raises a number to the exponent power (this is the same as base^exponent)
* round(number, count): Rounds a number to a predefined accuracy
* round(number, count): Rounds number to count decimal digits
* floor(number): Maps a real number to the largest previous integer
* sum<nowiki>([[item1]], [[item2]]...)</nowiki>: Returns the sum of all arguments (this is the same as <nowiki>[[item1]]+[[item2]]+...</nowiki>
* ceil(number): Maps a real number to the smallest following integer
Many other mathematical functions are also supported:
* sum(<nowiki>[[item1]], [[item2]]...)</nowiki>: Returns the sum of all arguments
* sin()
* an asterisk (*) gives the product of two items: <nowiki>[[item1]]*[[item2]]</nowiki>
* sinh()
 
* arcsin()
A number of mathematical functions is also supported:
* asin()
 
* arcsinh()
* sin
* asinh()
* sinh
* cos()
* arcsin
* cosh()
* asin
* arccos()
* arcsinh
* acos()
* asinh
* arccosh()
* cos
* acosh()
* cosh
* tan()
* arccos
* tanh()
* acos
* arctan()
* arccosh
* atan()
* acosh
* arctanh()
* tan
* atanh()
* tanh
* sqrt()
* arctan
* abs()
* atan
* ln()
* arctanh
* log()
* atanh
* exp()
* sqrt
* abs
* ln
* log
* exp
 
==Example calculations==
==Example calculations==
 
* <nowiki>=max([[Quiz.1]], [[Quiz.4]], [[Assignment.1]])</nowiki> - Returns the maximum value of the grades referred by Quiz.1, Quiz.4 and Assignment.1
* <nowiki>=average([[Quiz.1]], [[Quiz.4]], [[Assignment.1]])</nowiki>
* <nowiki>=average(max([[Quiz.1]], [[Quiz.4]], [[Assignment.1]]), min([[Quiz.1]], [[Quiz.4]], [[Assignment.1]]))</nowiki> - Returns the average of the maximum and the minimum values among Quiz.1, Quiz.4 and Assignment.1 (functions can be nested)
* <nowiki>=average(max([[Quiz.1]], [[Quiz.4]], [[Assignment.1]]), min([[Quiz.1]], [[Quiz.4]], [[Assignment.1]]))</nowiki>
* <nowiki>=sum([[item1]]*0.3, [[item2]]*0.6, [[item3]]*2)</nowiki> - Returns a weighted grade sum where item1 is weighted 30%, item2 is weighted at 60% and item3 is weighted at 200%
* Weighted grade calculations where item 1 is weighted 30%, item 2 is weighted at 60% and item 3 is weighted at 200%: <nowiki>=sum([[1]]*0.3,[[2]]*0.6,[[3]]*2)</nowiki>
* <nowiki>=if([[midtermexam]]>=5, [[midtermexam]]+[[lab]], 0)</nowiki> - Returns the sum of midtermexam and lab items if the midtermexam grade is 5 of more, and 0 otherwise. This is a very handy way of dealing with conditional evaluation in a course.
 
* <nowiki>=if(AND([[item1]]>=5, [[item2]]>=5), ([[item1]]+[[item2]])/2, 0)</nowiki> - Returns the average of item1 and item2 if both have 5 of more, and 0 otherwise. This is a very handy way of dealing with sine qua non activities.
==Calculations when user language is not English==
==Calculations when user language is not English==
Calculations and formulas use decimal and list separators as defined in the [https://docs.moodle.org/dev/Translation_langconfig langconfig.php] file of each [[Language packs|language pack]].


Calculation formulas use decimal and list separators as defined in the [https://docs.moodle.org/dev/Translation_langconfig langconfig.php] file of each [[Language packs|language pack]].
The [[Decimal separator|decimal separator]] (the symbol used to mark the boundary between the integral and the fractional parts of a decimal number) is a point (.) in English. In other languages it may be a comma (,).
 
The [[Decimal separator|decimal separator]] (a symbol used to mark the boundary between the integral and the fractional parts of a decimal number) is a point (.) in English. In other languages it may be a comma (,).
 
The list separator (a symbol used to separate a list of ID numbers in square brackets) is a comma (,) in English. In other languages it may be a semicolon (;).


Analogously, the list separator (the symbol used to separate the items within a list, such as the arguments of a function) is a comma (,) in English. In other languages it may be a semicolon (;).
==See also==
==See also==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKUGyzAXcyA Video on how to set up calculations in the gradebook (basic)]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKUGyzAXcyA Video on how to set up calculations in the gradebook (basic)]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBEj8mmu8lM Video on how to set up calculations in the gradebook (advanced)]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBEj8mmu8lM Video on how to set up calculations in the gradebook (advanced)]
[[ca:grade/edit/tree/calculation]]
[[ca:grade/edit/tree/calculation]]
[[es:Cálculos de calificación]]
[[es:Cálculos de calificación]]

Latest revision as of 11:54, 3 December 2021

A grade calculation is a formula used to determine grades, based on other grade items. Note that this is not the same as Calculated question types.

Grade calculations follow the pattern of formulas/functions in popular spreadsheet programs. They start with an equal (=) sign, and use common mathematical operators and functions to produce a single numerical output. This output is then used as the computed value for the grade item you are editing.

Conditional (IF) operators can be used in grade calculations of the grade book, and logical operators (AND,OR) can be also used (MDL-64414).

Setting a grade calculation

Edit calculation setting
Example calculation

To set a grade calculation:

  1. Login as teacher or other user with permission to edit grades
  2. Click on Grades in the course administration block
  3. Click 'View > Grader Report'
  4. Click 'Turn Editing On'; a 'Controls' bar should appear above the grades
  5. Click the 'Calculator' icon above the grade item or category you wish to edit. Note: if you don't see this, then it must be enabled in Site administration>Grades>Report settings>Grader report>Show calculations
  6. Start with an equal sign (=)
  7. Type an expression using numbers, arithmetic operators, mathematical functions and ID numbers; for example =average()
  8. Plug in your ID numbers (see below) enclosed in double square brackets, for example =[[item1]]+[[item2]]
  9. Separate each function argument with a comma, as in =average([[item1]], [[item2]])+[[item3]])
  10. Click the "Save Changes" button

Assigning ID numbers

You can include the values of other grade items by using their ID number as references in your formulas. The ID number must be surrounded by double square brackets, for example if you have a grade item with Quiz.3 as ID number, you can refer this item using [[Quiz.3]] in your calculation.

Below the calculation field there is a list of your course grade categories and grade items. Next to each item or category's total there is the ID number you can use in your calculation (already surrounded with the required double square brackets).

However, since ID numbers are optional, some items may not yet have one. Each item without ID number have a form field that you can use to enter its ID number directly. As soon as you have assigned the ID numbers you need, you must click the "Add ID numbers" button; the page will reload and show you the same list including the ID numbers you have just assigned. Now you can use them in your grade calculation.

Note: Moodle does not allow calculations involving no ID numbers.

Calculation functions

Every grade calculation must start with an equal sign (=) followed by an expression using operators and functions supported by the system. All common arithmetic operators are supported

  • addition, using the plus (+) sign
  • subtraction, using the minus (-) sign
  • multiplication, using the asterisk (*) character
  • division, using the slash (/) character
  • exponentiation, using the caret (^) character

with their usual evaluation precedence rules: exponentiations are evaluated first, then multiplications and divisions are performed, finally additions and subtraction are carried out; so, the expression =1+2-3*4/5^6 gives almost 3 (2,999232). Different precedences can be forced using round parentheses, as in the expression =((((1+2)-3)*4)/5)^6 which yields 0.

Functions can also appear in expressions, using a separator between their arguments listed within round brackets.

Important:
  • For the English language pack this separator is a comma (,).
  • For other languages the separator could be a different character, for example a semicolon (;).
  • average([[item1]], [[item2]]...): Returns the average of the values in a list of arguments
  • ceil(number): Maps a real number to the smallest following integer
  • floor(number): Maps a real number to the largest previous integer
  • if([[item1]], [[item2]], [[item3]]): Evaluates the first argument (condition) and returns the second argument if the condition is not zero (true condition) and returns the third argument if the condition is zero (false condition).
  • max([[item1]], [[item2]]...): Returns the maximum value in a list of arguments
  • min([[item1]], [[item2]]...): Returns the minimum value in a list of arguments
  • mod(dividend, divisor): Calculates the remainder of a division
  • pi(): Returns the value of the number Pi (3.14159265...)
  • power(base, exponent): Raises a number to the exponent power (this is the same as base^exponent)
  • round(number, count): Rounds number to count decimal digits
  • sum([[item1]], [[item2]]...): Returns the sum of all arguments (this is the same as [[item1]]+[[item2]]+...

Many other mathematical functions are also supported:

  • sin()
  • sinh()
  • arcsin()
  • asin()
  • arcsinh()
  • asinh()
  • cos()
  • cosh()
  • arccos()
  • acos()
  • arccosh()
  • acosh()
  • tan()
  • tanh()
  • arctan()
  • atan()
  • arctanh()
  • atanh()
  • sqrt()
  • abs()
  • ln()
  • log()
  • exp()

Example calculations

  • =max([[Quiz.1]], [[Quiz.4]], [[Assignment.1]]) - Returns the maximum value of the grades referred by Quiz.1, Quiz.4 and Assignment.1
  • =average(max([[Quiz.1]], [[Quiz.4]], [[Assignment.1]]), min([[Quiz.1]], [[Quiz.4]], [[Assignment.1]])) - Returns the average of the maximum and the minimum values among Quiz.1, Quiz.4 and Assignment.1 (functions can be nested)
  • =sum([[item1]]*0.3, [[item2]]*0.6, [[item3]]*2) - Returns a weighted grade sum where item1 is weighted 30%, item2 is weighted at 60% and item3 is weighted at 200%
  • =if([[midtermexam]]>=5, [[midtermexam]]+[[lab]], 0) - Returns the sum of midtermexam and lab items if the midtermexam grade is 5 of more, and 0 otherwise. This is a very handy way of dealing with conditional evaluation in a course.
  • =if(AND([[item1]]>=5, [[item2]]>=5), ([[item1]]+[[item2]])/2, 0) - Returns the average of item1 and item2 if both have 5 of more, and 0 otherwise. This is a very handy way of dealing with sine qua non activities.

Calculations when user language is not English

Calculations and formulas use decimal and list separators as defined in the langconfig.php file of each language pack.

The decimal separator (the symbol used to mark the boundary between the integral and the fractional parts of a decimal number) is a point (.) in English. In other languages it may be a comma (,).

Analogously, the list separator (the symbol used to separate the items within a list, such as the arguments of a function) is a comma (,) in English. In other languages it may be a semicolon (;).

See also