Anki Math Randomizer (Static Daily & Deck-Aware)

Install via ankiweb

A robust Anki add-on that randomizes mathematical variables in your flashcards to prevent rote pattern recognition.

Key Features

• Static Rendering: Converts your template variables (e.g., VL1) into actual characters (e.g., X) inside the card fields. Zero render-time glitches.
• Deck-Aware Trigger: Automatically checks for cards needing updates when you enter the Review Screen for a specific deck.
• Daily Frequency: Randomizes cards once per day. If you review a card multiple times in one day, it stays consistent to avoid confusion.
• Smart Conflict Avoidance:
  • Static Scanning: Scans your equation for existing variables (e.g., if you wrote x + y, it won't pick x or y as random variables).
  • Visual Safety: Prevents visually similar symbols from appearing together (e.g., never mixes l, I, 1, and |).
• Variable Pools: Supports Upper/Lower Latin, Upper/Lower Greek, and Numbers.

Setup & Migration (Crucial Step)

Because this add-on writes data to specific fields, you must set up the Note Type correctly.

1. Restart Anki after installing.
2. Go to the Browser and select your math cards.
3. Right-click → Change Note Type.
4. Select "Math Randomizer (Daily Static)".
5. Map your fields carefully:
   • Map your Old Code/Question → Source Front
   • Map your Old Answer → Source Back
   • Front → (Leave Empty / Ignore)
   • Back → (Leave Empty / Ignore)
   • LastUpdate → (Leave Empty / Ignore)

How to Use

1. Creating Cards

You no longer type into the "Front" field. Instead, use the Source fields.

• Source Front: Enter your equation with variable tags.
  • Example: \( \int VL1 \, dVL1 \)
• Source Back: Enter the answer.
  • Example: \( \frac{VL1^2}{2} + C \)
• Front / Back: Leave these empty. The add-on will fill them automatically.

2. Studying

1. Click on a Deck.
2. Click "Study Now".
3. The add-on instantly scans all Due or New cards in that deck.
4. If a card hasn't been randomized today, it swaps the variables (e.g., changing VL1 to X).
5. You see \( \int X \, dX \) on your screen.

Variable Tags Reference

You can use any index number (e.g., VL1, VL2, Vg99).

Tag	Type	Description	Example Output
VL[n]	Upper Latin	Uppercase A-Z	$A, X, M$
Vl[n]	Lower Latin	Lowercase a-z	$a, x, m$
VG[n]	Upper Greek	Uppercase Greek	$\Gamma, \Delta, \Omega$
Vg[n]	Lower Greek	Lowercase Greek	$\alpha, \beta, \theta$
VN[n]	Numbers	Integers (2-9)	$2, 5, 9$
VV[n]	Mixed	Any Latin or Greek	$X, \lambda, \Omega, m$

Visual Conflict Safety

The add-on ensures the following groups of symbols never appear together in the same equation:

• Verticals: I, l, 1, |
• Circles: O, o, 0, Q, \Theta, \theta
• V-shapes: v, \nu, \upsilon
• U-shapes: u, \mu
• W-shapes: w, \omega
• X-shapes: x, \chi, \times
• P-shapes: p, \rho
• B-shapes: B, \beta

Troubleshooting

"My cards are empty!" Check your Field Mapping. The data must be in Source Front, not Front. The "Front" field is overwritten by the script.

"The variable didn't change!" The script only updates a card once per day to save processing power and avoid confusion during re-learning steps. Wait until tomorrow, or manually clear the LastUpdate field in the browser if you want to force a refresh.

"It's not working on AnkiDroid." Sync your devices. Since the logic runs on the Desktop and saves the result as standard text, AnkiDroid just needs to sync to see the updated equations.