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Re: notation using # with exponents and &

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg92943] Re: notation using # with exponents and &
• From: "David Park" <djmpark at comcast.net>
• Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:36:05 -0400 (EDT)
• References: <gdevcc$3mp$1@smc.vnet.net>

Molly,

You are probably obtaining Root objects. These are a somewhat arcane, but 
exact representation of the roots of a polynomial equation. To find out more 
about them, and how to convert them to regular numbers, type the following 
and evaluate:

?*Root*

Especially look at Root, and follow the links at the end of the usage 
messages to the Function Help pages.


-- 
David Park
djmpark at comcast.net
http://home.comcast.net/~djmpark/


"Molly Lipscomb" <molly_lipscomb at yahoo.com> wrote in message 
news:gdevcc$3mp$1 at smc.vnet.net...
> Hi,
> When I ask Mathematica to solve one of my equations, at first it says that 
> the response is long, and asks whether I want the full output, or the 
> output with a size limit.  When I say that I want the full output it comes 
> up with seven roots, each of which has a polynomial which is pages long. 
> At the end of each root, it has a notation which I haven't seen before and 
> can't find in any documentation--it has a box that looks something like a 
> # sign, 1 with an exponent, and then an & sign, a comma, and then a 
> number.  Is this an abbreviation for something?  Does it mean that I don't 
> have the full solution listed?
>
> Also, I have been trying to get Mathematica to factor or simplify the 
> solution, but when I enter Factor[%], it just repeats the same solution. 
> Does this mean that the solution just can't be simplified, or is there an 
> alternative way to do this?
>
> Thanks so much for any ideas you have!
> Best,
> Molly
>
>
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