On Feb 18, 5:24 pm, Mark Rahner <[email protected]> wrote: > converts 1/sqrt(5) to 1/5*sqrt(5) so I suspect that this issue can be > traced to the GiNaC canonical form.
Yes, it does so for a very good reason: By simplifying expressions this way, you're sure to recognize equal expressions. Compare 2/ sqrt(6) and sqrt(6)/3, for instance. You'll easily recognize they're equal if you remove sqrts from the denominator. By sacrificing the apparent simplicity of 1/sqrt(5) to get 1/5*sqrt(5), one big problem in deciding if algebraic numbers are equal disappears completely (there are still other ones, due to the fact that expressions line sqrt(1+sqrt(2)) are ambiguous). It's a standard convention to deal with fractions involving roots. It's often taught in schools. -- To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/sage-support URL: http://www.sagemath.org
