Re: More about algebraic simplification
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg110535] Re: More about algebraic simplification
- From: David Bailey <dave at removedbailey.co.uk>
- Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 04:26:44 -0400 (EDT)
- References: <hvmvpp$ps2$1@smc.vnet.net>
On 21/06/10 07:11, S. B. Gray wrote:
> variables describing the plane and circle. Next, I want to find the line
It always helps to post some code.
However, when you say you define some new variables, I am guessing that
you wrote an actual assignment:
xn= a x + b y + c z;
(say)
This is not usually the best way to do algebraic manipulations, because
after such an assignment, whenever you write (or otherwise create) an
expression involving xn, it will evaluate to an expression involving x,y,z.
Don't make such an assignment, but change variables using a replacement
rule. Thus to revert to {x,y,z}, do :
expr /.{xn->a x+b y+c z,yn-> ...... }
Notice that if you use Solve to get the Xn in terms of the {x,y,z}, the
answer comes back as rules - ready made for a replacement!
You should only use an assignment when you really want Mathematica to
use that assignment to eliminate the variable whenever it can - which
isn't that often when doing algebra, as opposed to more general
programming.
David Bailey
http://www.dbaileyconsultancy.co.uk