--- loncom/homework/caparesponse/caparesponse.pm	2005/12/28 21:26:21	1.186
+++ loncom/homework/caparesponse/caparesponse.pm	2006/02/06 23:02:50	1.187
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # caparesponse definition
 #
-# $Id: caparesponse.pm,v 1.186 2005/12/28 21:26:21 albertel Exp $
+# $Id: caparesponse.pm,v 1.187 2006/02/06 23:02:50 albertel Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -609,7 +609,7 @@ sub format_number {
     my $ans;
     if ($format eq '') {
 	#What is the number? (integer,decimal,floating point)
-	if ($number=~/^(\d*\.?\d*)(E|e)(\d*)$/) {
+	if ($number=~/^(\d*\.?\d*)(E|e)[+\-]?(\d*)$/) {
 	    $format = '3e';
 	} elsif ($number=~/^(\d*)\.(\d*)$/) {
 	    $format = '4f';