Preliminary instructions

First, check the following elements:

• There is a turn-in (in the git repository)
• No cheating. Students must be able to explain their code.
• If the program is written in a compilable language, there is a Makefile with the rules all, re, and clean, at least.
• Mathematic libraries are not allowed in this project. They cannot be used to calculate the delta root or any second degree equation. You should check which calculation method the student used and whether they master it.
• If one of these elements is not respected, evaluation stops. Use the accurate flag. Still, you're invited to keep discussing the subject, but you won't use the grading system.

Presence of a reduced equation

The program takes an equation in account or waits for it on the standard
entry and displays the same equation in its reduced form afterwards. Is
it the right one ?

Reduced equation form

The reduced equation shows the factors until the non null last one, only
once, and either side of the equation is null.

Entry management

Try several entries that have a correct format but might have been ill
managed (zero or negative or non whole coefficient...). How well does the
program manage them? (no crash, no calculation error, no infinite loop...)
IMPORTANT NOTICE: if the answer is NO to either question, the evaluation
stops.

0 degree equation after reduction

Enter a possible equation ("5 * X^0 = 5 * X^0", for instance). Does the
program tell you that any real number is a solution? Enter an impossible
equation ("4 * X^0 = 8 * X^0", for instance)? Does the program tell you
there is no solution?

First degree equation after reduction

Enter a fist degree equation ("5 * X^0 = 4 * X^0 + 7 * X^1", for instance).
Does the program show the solution to the equation?

The program is expected to display:

5 = 4 + 7X ⇒ X = 1/7 ≈ 0.142857

(Note: the reduced form may have a different development,
but the final result must remain the same.)

Run several tests.

Second degree equation after reduction - Strictly positive discriminant

Enter a second degree equation with a strictly positive discriminant
("5 * X^0 + 13 * X^1 + 3 * X^2 = 1 * X^0 + 1 * X^1", for instance).

Does the program show it has a strictly positive discriminant?

Does it show two solutions?

Are they correct? (here's an example of a possible solution)

X1 = (-12.0 + sqrt(96.0)) / (2 * 3.0)
X1 = -0.36700683813442847

X2 = (-12.0 - sqrt(96.0)) / (2 * 3.0)
X2 = -3.632993161865572

(Note: the reduced form may have a different development,
but the final result must remain the same.)

Run several tests.

Second degree equation after reduction - Zero discriminant

Enter a second degree equation with a discriminant equalling O.

("6 * X^0 + 11 * X^1 + 5 * X^2 = 1 * X^0 + 1 * X^1", for instance).

Does the program show it has a 0 discriminant?

Does it show a single solution?

Is it the correct one? (here's an example of a possible solution)

X0 = -10.0 / (2 * 5.0)
X0 = -1.0

Run several tests.

Second degree equation after reduction - Strictly negative discriminant

Enter a second degree equation with a strictly negative discriminant
("5 * X^0 + 3 * X^1 + 3 * X^2 = 1 * X^0 + 0 * X^1", for instance).

Does the program show it has a strictly negative discriminant?

Does it show two complex solution?

Are they correct? Run several tests.

The result should of course show like this: α + β*i.

(here's an example of a possible solution)

Discriminant is strictly negative, the two solutions are complex:
real_part: -3.0 / (2 * 3.0)
imag_part: sqrt(39.0 / (2 * 3.0))
-0.5 + 1.0408330009701328 * i
-0.5 - 1.0408330009701328 * i

Third or more degree equation after reduction

Enter a third or higher degree equation. The program should refuse to solve
the equation first. If the program solves it, you can give a score and
show respect... as long as it doesn't crash. If the reduced equation happens
to be a second or lower degree equation, the program should be able to
solve it properly.

Managing a free form entry

Can the program manage a free form entry? * A single coefficient ("4") is
considered a factor of X^0. * A single X is considered having a
coefficient 1 an exponent 1. * An absent exponent ("4 * X") is considered
as equalling 1. * An absent coefficient ("X^6") is considered as equalling

1. * Exponents can appear in arbitrary or repeated order.

Second bonus

Error management in the entry (vocabulary and syntax).
Displaying results as irreducible fractions if appropriate. Displaying
intermediate steps. Etc...