Distribute
- To: mathgroup at yoda.physics.unc.edu
- Subject: Distribute
- From: iroberts at occs.cs.oberlin.edu (Ian B. Robertson)
- Date: Thu, 4 Mar 1993 16:55:30 -0500
I have a function that I want to be additively distributive. The
standard way for doing this
f[a_+b_]:=f[a]+f[b];
But this is a problem when distributing over long sums, because it
leads to Recursion errors. Mathematica has a command Distribute, but
if I just say
f[a_+b_]:=Distribute[f[a+b]]
I am immediately in a loop. Thus, the simplest way I can see to use
it in this situation is
f[a_+b_]=Distribute[temp[a+b]]/.{temp->f}
Is there way to do this without the introduction of a temporary
variable? Thanks in advance.
- Ian Robertson
Oberlin College
iroberts at cs.oberlin.edu