Mathematica or (preferably) maxima display exanded form

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

In the discussion, the user sought a method to display the less factored form of expressions in Mathematica or Maxima while working on matrix multiplication for geometrical optics. The user encountered unsatisfactory results with expressions like d-d(2d/r-1). The solution was found by using the command "expand(A)" in Maxima, which effectively produces the fully expanded form of the expression.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with Maxima 5.45.2 syntax
  • Understanding of matrix multiplication in geometrical optics
  • Basic knowledge of algebraic expressions and their manipulation
  • Experience with command-line interfaces for mathematical software
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore advanced features of Maxima for symbolic computation
  • Learn about the "factor" function in Maxima for expression simplification
  • Investigate Mathematica's "Expand" function for comparison
  • Study matrix operations in Maxima for geometrical optics applications
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physicists, and engineers working with symbolic computation and matrix operations, particularly in the context of geometrical optics.

richyw
Messages
179
Reaction score
0
Is it possible to get either one to display the less factored form of an expression? what I am doing is multiplying matrices together for geometrical optics but my answers keep coming out really ugly. For example I have

[tex]d-d\left(\frac{2d}{r}-1\right)[/tex] I don't think a person would ever write it like that. This is not a bad example but in some cases its doing just really ugly things where the neatest form is (at least close to) the fully expanded form. I'd rather see my answer expanded and then manually make the decision on what to factor out if that makes any sense?

thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
nevermind, I figured it out. I typed "expand(A)". who would have thunk?
 

Similar threads

MATLAB A Mathematica/Maple/(Matlab?) replacement
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
46K
Mathematica How to type mathematical equations using LaTeX
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Advice how to up my scientific computing with I-pad and otherwise.
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 261)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad Trying To Conceptualize Two Dimensions Of Time
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 238)
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
High School Why don't solids always stick together?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
MATLAB Counting Occurrences in a 2D Array with MATLAB
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
9K
Graduate Integrating 2-forms over a parameterised surface
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Graduate Re-writing the geodesic deviation eqn in matrix notation (3d only)
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K