Simplifying an Expression Symbolically

To algebraically simplify or evaluate an expression, select the expression, and either:

• Type [Ctrl][Shift][.] and the "simplify" keyword, or use the Symbolics toolbar to modify the live symbolics operator.

  - or -

• Choose Simplify from the Symbolics menu.

The Simplify command performs arithmetic, cancels common factors, uses basic trigonometric and inverse function identities, and simplifies square roots and powers. It attempts to combine a sum of fractions into a single fraction.

Simplify is also used to evaluate sums and products, using the Mathcad operators for these expressions (type [Ctrl][Shift]4 or [Ctrl][Shift]3 respectively). If the expression cannot be simplified further, the Simplify command returns it unchanged.

Notes:

• To simplify an expression making assumptions about the domain of some variables, follow the keyword simplify with the keyword assume and the assumptions you wish to apply.
• To see the value of substituted numerical values in place before reducing them, use the explicit keyword.
• To simplify a trigonometric expression by applying only the following identities:

  sin(x)² + cos(x)² = 1
  cosh(x)² − sinh(x)² = 1

  follow the keyword simplify with trig.

• When the expression to be simplified includes functions with more than one branch, such as square root or the inverse trigonometric functions, the symbolic processor may return a result that differs in numerical behavior from the original.

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