Update explainers/explainer_algebra.py

explainers/explainer_algebra.py

@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-# explainer_algebra.py
-
 import re
 from models import ExplainerResult
 
@@ -9,13 +7,13 @@ def explain_algebra_question(text: str) -> ExplainerResult | None:
 
     has_equation = "=" in t
     has_variable = bool(re.search(r"\b[a-z]\b", t))
-    has_solve_word = "solve" in t or "value of x" in t or "value of y" in t
+    has_solve_word = "solve" in t or "value of" in t
 
-    if not has_equation and not has_variable and not has_solve_word:
+    # Avoid stealing other topics
+    if "%" in t or "percent" in t or "ratio" in t or re.search(r"\b\d+\s*:\s*\d+\b", t):
         return None
 
-    # avoid catching obvious non-algebra topics first
-    if "%" in t or "percent" in t or "ratio" in t or re.search(r"\b\d+\s*:\s*\d+\b", t):
+    if not (has_equation or has_variable or has_solve_word):
         return None
 
     givens = []
@@ -30,37 +28,17 @@ def explain_algebra_question(text: str) -> ExplainerResult | None:
     variables = [v for v in variables if v not in {"a", "i"}]
 
     if variables:
-        givens.append(f"A variable appears in the question: {', '.join(variables[:3])}")
-
-    numbers = re.findall(r"\b\d+(?:\.\d+)?\b", t)
-    if numbers:
-        givens.append(f"Numbers are included in the expression: {', '.join(numbers[:5])}")
+        givens.append(f"A variable appears: {', '.join(variables[:3])}")
 
-    relationships.append("Both sides of the equation represent the same value")
-    relationships.append("You need to isolate the variable while keeping the equation balanced")
+    relationships.append("Both sides of the equation must remain equal")
+    relationships.append("You need to isolate the variable")
 
-    if "integer" in t:
-        constraints.append("The variable may be restricted to integer values")
-    if "positive" in t:
-        constraints.append("The variable may need to be positive")
-    if "negative" in t:
-        constraints.append("The variable may be negative or restricted by sign")
-
-    asks_for = None
-    m = re.search(r"\bsolve for ([a-z])\b", t)
-    if m:
-        asks_for = f"the value of {m.group(1)}"
-    else:
-        m = re.search(r"\bwhat is the value of ([a-z])\b", t)
-        if m:
-            asks_for = f"the value of {m.group(1)}"
-        elif "what is" in t or "find" in t:
-            asks_for = "the value of the variable"
+    asks_for = "the value of the variable"
 
     trap_notes.extend([
-        "Do not perform an operation on only one side of the equation",
-        "Watch for sign mistakes when moving terms",
-        "Be careful with brackets, distribution, and inverse operations",
+        "Always perform operations on both sides of the equation",
+        "Watch for sign errors",
+        "Be careful with distributing brackets",
     ])
 
     return ExplainerResult(
@@ -71,11 +49,11 @@ def explain_algebra_question(text: str) -> ExplainerResult | None:
         constraints=constraints,
         relationships=relationships,
         needed_concepts=[
-            "equation balancing",
             "inverse operations",
-            "isolating the variable",
+            "equation balancing",
+            "isolating variables",
         ],
         trap_notes=trap_notes,
-        strategy_hint="Identify the variable, then think about what operations need to be undone to isolate it.",
-        plain_english="The question is giving you an algebraic relationship and asking you to isolate the variable to find its value.",
+        strategy_hint="Undo operations step by step in reverse order to isolate the variable.",
+        plain_english="The question gives an equation and asks you to isolate the variable to find its value.",
     )