[sage-support] Re: Simplification Issue Implicates Canonical Form

Hi Mark,

I agree with you, and by experience I could say that SAGE could be a
bit frustrating to learn at first... but is worth!

I'm not sure if it'd help you, but notice that there are two different
routines of simplification, say, simplify() and full_simpllify(). Try
using the second one with your expressions.

Enjoy!

DOX

On Feb 18, 10:24 pm, Mark Rahner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I appreciate that background info.  I hadn't tried invoking maxima
> because I read somewhere that simplify() used maxima.  I must've been
> reading outdated material.  As you stated, maxima does the correct
> thing.  Because Sage can invoke maxima, perhaps I have a work around.
> You're right that this issue should be considered in the context of
> powers.  In that context, I think it is even more clear that
> "5^(-1/2)" is simpler than "(1/5) * 5^(1/2)".  Leaving the additional
> term doesn't seem like a big deal, but by preventing subsequent
> simplifications, and by combining and recombining with other large
> expressions, it can have highly undesirable effects.
> I took a quick look at ginsh, the GiNaC interactive shell.  It
> converts 1/sqrt(5) to 1/5*sqrt(5) so I suspect that this issue can be
> traced to the GiNaC canonical form.  I'm not a CAS expert but I know a
> fair amount about computer system interfaces and I'm sure this issue
> adversely impacts the user experience.  Nobody would select equation
> obfuscation mode given the choice.
> I think this issue should be taken up with the GiNaC folks.  Do they
> hang out in this group?
> -Mark

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