# Math Help - Which Software?

1. ## Which Software?

Hey guys,

I'm sure this is a simple question but I'm new to the area so be gentle

I've an equation with about 6 unknowns. There are 8 terms on the left hand side of the equation, Something like:
$4c^2m^2kpz + 4c^4m^3kz + ... = 5c^3m^2kp$
and I need to square both sides.

Squaring both sides using pen and paper is a real pain, and I often make silly transcribing errors. Is there any software package out there that can do this for me?

Thanks,
M

2. Originally Posted by kingofinismac
Hey guys,

I'm sure this is a simple question but I'm new to the area so be gentle

I've an equation with about 6 unknowns. There are 8 terms on the left hand side of the equation, Something like:
$4c^2m^2kpz + 4c^4m^3kz + ... = 5c^3m^2kp$
and I need to square both sides.

Squaring both sides using pen and paper is a real pain, and I often make silly transcribing errors. Is there any software package out there that can do this for me?

Thanks,
M
I have seen several software programs that will do the expansions of the equations and the simplifications.
ALL they do is remove the "real pain" of keeping all of the data in tact.
They do NOT do any real thinking for you.
I do not have the references at the moment. You could search the internet for equation parsers.

Headed to the archives...

3. I knew I'd get that reaction here

I've done the thinking, I know how to solve the problem. On the LHS I've eight terms, meaning when I square it I've 64 terms. Now, each terms consists of 4/5 variables with various powers. Therefore, errors often can occur.

I could spend a few hours checking and double-checking each of the 64 terms, but I'd prefer to be doing real maths!

4. Originally Posted by kingofinismac
I knew I'd get that reaction here

I've done the thinking, I know how to solve the problem. On the LHS I've eight terms, meaning when I square it I've 64 terms. Now, each terms consists of 4/5 variables with various powers. Therefore, errors often can occur.

I could spend a few hours checking and double-checking each of the 64 terms, but I'd prefer to be doing real maths!
I have several references that might assist:
This program by J.P.Moreau has the source code available in FORTRAN 77, BASIC, & C

SYMBOLIC PARSER FOR POLYNOMIALS
by J-P Moreau

Example1: (A+B)^2 ==> A^2+2AB+B^2

Example2: (A+B+C)^3
FINAL SIMPLIFICATION AND RESULT:
A^3+3A^2B+3A^2C+3AB^2+6ABC+3AC^2+B^3+3B^2C+3BC^2+C ^3

Example3: STRING TO EVALUATE (A+B+C+D)^4+(A+B+C-D)^4

A^4+4A^3B+4A^3C+4A^3D+6A^2B^2+12A^2BC+12A^2BD+6A^2 C^2+12A^2CD+6A^2D^2+
^3+B^4+4B^3C+4B^3D+6B^2C^2+12B^2CD+6B^2D^2+4BC^3+1 2BC^2D+12BCD^2+4BD^3
+C^4+4C^3D+6C^2D^2+4CD^3+D^4+A^4+4A^3B+4A^3C-4A^3D+6A^2B^2+12A^2BC-12A
^2BD+6A^2C^2-12A^2CD+6A^2D^2+4AB^3+12AB^2C-12AB^2D+12ABC^2-24ABCD+12AB
2+4BC^3-12BC^2D+12BCD^2-4BD^3+C^4-4C^3D+6C^2D^2-4CD^3+D^4
FINAL SIMPLIFICATION AND RESULT:
2A^4+8A^3B+8A^3C+12A^2B^2+24A^2BC+12A^2C^2+12A^2D^ 2+8AB^3+24AB^2C+24AB
C^2+24ABD^2+8AC^3+24ACD^2+2B^4+8B^3C+12B^2C^2+12B^ 2D^2+8BC^3+24BCD^2+2
C^4+12C^2D^2+2D^4

==============

5. Originally Posted by kingofinismac
Hey guys,

I'm sure this is a simple question but I'm new to the area so be gentle

I've an equation with about 6 unknowns. There are 8 terms on the left hand side of the equation, Something like:
$4c^2m^2kpz + 4c^4m^3kz + ... = 5c^3m^2kp$
and I need to square both sides.

Squaring both sides using pen and paper is a real pain, and I often make silly transcribing errors. Is there any software package out there that can do this for me?

Thanks,
M
Wolfram Alpha

CB

6. Thanks CB, that's exactly what I was looking for!

Pity I finished it on paper last night, but it's very handy for double checking!