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Re: avoid combining like terms in algebraic expression

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg121135] Re: avoid combining like terms in algebraic expression
• From: Richard Hofler <rhofler at bus.ucf.edu>
• Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2011 06:03:25 -0400 (EDT)
• Delivered-to: l-mathgroup@mail-archive0.wolfram.com
• References: <201108301035.GAA29063@smc.vnet.net>

Phil,

Instead of the following, for example,

In[3]:= (3x + 4x)*3
Out[3]= 21 x

do you want this?

In[4]:= HoldForm[(3x + 4x)*3]
Out[4]= (3 x+4 x) 3

Richard Hofler
Department of Economics

-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Hammond [mailto:phil at hammondo.org]
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 6:36 AM
To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
Subject: [mg121135] avoid combining like terms in algebraic expression

I'm generating problems for basic algebra students, and I would like to present expressions with like terms (e.g. 3x + 4x) and have the students combine them in their answers. Could somebody help me persuade Mathematica to refrain from combining them automatically?

Thanks-

• References:
  • avoid combining like terms in algebraic expression
    • From: Phil Hammond <phil@hammondo.org>