Join math variables

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I would like to be able to join math variables. What I mean with this is that, for example, the following can be joined (I don't know if this is actually called joining):

2x^2 - 5x^2 + 2x + 3x - 5 + 6

join to (is equal to):

-3x^2 + 5x + 1

Is there a library or does someone have a code snippet for such actions? If you have a hint or an easy trick, also please tell me. Thanks.

Posted 15-Aug-09 7:14am

pimb2

Updated 25-Aug-09 10:28am

Sean Ewington

v2

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0x3c0 · Answer 1 · 2009-08-15T07:33:00

The process you're talking about is called simplifying. I would assume it's done by going through each element (where element 0 is 2x², element 1 is -5x², etc) and making a note of each unique index (the power). When you encounter an index that's occurred before, add the current element to the unique element that's got the matching index and move on.

After that you just need to display it. With this, you just iterate through the list of unique elements and print them.