Built in states not working as expected

Hello lschivley​ 
I understand better now. And you are obviously right. You need the equation function to propose much more complicated equations.
I tried taking only the “equation” object and giving it states (by inserting your beige, brown, green with check, and red with cross backgrounds). OK, but the object remains insensitive to its position and does not display its states when it is moved or placed on the correct and incorrect targets (perhaps because it is an SVG (I think)).
So, the only (simple) workaround that works is to use rectangular shapes with the states you have already created and used, AND add the equation to each state. In this case, it is the shape that reacts to drag and drop, and everything works. And you can still modify the equations as needed. Forget about groups.
My other comment still stands: depending on your choice of direct state change, the shape will be an “incorrect drop zone” if it is not dropped on the correct target, regardless of location (internal SL setting). I hope this helps.