MathAction #7 Simplify changes the type of an expression

Topics

axiom

factor(simplify((1+x)^3))

$\label{eq1}{x^3}+{3 \ {x^2}}+{3 \ x}+ 1$

Type: Factored(Expression(Integer))

vs.

axiom

factor((1+x)^3)

$\label{eq2}{\left(x + 1 \right)}^3$

Type: Factored(Polynomial(Integer))

simplify changes the type to Expression Integer, where the original was Polynomial Integer.

Why does factor refuse to factor an Expression Integer but succeeds with Polynomial Integer?

axiom

simplify((1+x)^3)

$\label{eq3}{x^3}+{3 \ {x^2}}+{3 \ x}+ 1$

Type: Expression(Integer)

axiom

factor(%::Polynomial Integer)

$\label{eq4}{\left(x + 1 \right)}^3$

Type: Factored(Polynomial(Integer))

property change

Tue, 08 Mar 2005 12:47:35 -0600 reply

... --kratt6, Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:43:19 -0800 reply

Category: Axiom Mathematics => Axiom Interpreter Status: open => rejected

simplify takes an EXPR INT, not a POLY INT. The interpreter does the coercion silently for you.