Re: question on changing 'type' of numbers
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg69486] Re: [mg69473] question on changing 'type' of numbers
- From: Bob Hanlon <hanlonr at cox.net>
- Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 06:55:02 -0400 (EDT)
- Reply-to: hanlonr at cox.net
Applying Integer (or Real) to a value just returns the value. The argument of Head is "evaluated" and are asking for the Head of the value. Clear[x]; Apply[Integer,x] x Head[x] Symbol x=0.1; Apply[Integer,x] 0.1 Head[x] Real You can assign a Head to a symbol Clear[x]; x/:Head[x]=Real; Head[x] Real x/:Head[x]=Integer; Head[x] Integer x=0.1 0.1 ??x Global`x x = 0.1 Head[x] ^= Integer Head[x] Real Again you get the Head of the value not the Head assigned to the symbol Bob Hanlon ---- Nasser Abbasi <nma at 12000.org> wrote: > I think of a the Head of expression as its 'type'. > > One is supposed to be able to use Apply[f,expr] to change head of expression > to f. > > But Why can't I use this to change the head of a Real number to Integer? > > In[122]:= > Remove["Global`*"] > x = 0.1 > Head[x] > -------------->Real > Apply[Integer,x] > Head[x] > ------------------->Real. I was expecting Intger > x = Integer[x] > Head[x] > ----------------> Now it says Integer > > any idea? > > ofcourse the question as to what should happen to the value of the variable > if for example I change the head of 0.5 from Real to Integer is another > matter. It seems in this case x remained 0.1 but only the head said Integer > > x > ----->Integer[0.1] > > Now sure what the above really means :) > > Nasser >