6
$\begingroup$

I am making some random algebra equations, and I want to have the ordering be random too, such that if my random equation generator makes x+1, the output stays x+1, without reverting to 1+x.

I have tried ClearAttributes[Plus, Orderless], but it simply did not work - entering x+1 returns 1+x.

The following sort-of works:

Unprotect[Plus];
Format[Plus[a_, b_]] := ToString@a <> " + " <> ToString@b

But it uses Unprotect, converts everything to strings, and also doesn't work when b is a fraction (fractions p/q are represented as p\n--\nq).

Is there a nicer way to do this?

Also, I plan to convert everything to TraditionalForm at the end, so using that to control ordering won't work either.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
6
  • $\begingroup$ I found another solution, which is again not that great (as in it is super slow), but at least it gives me the results I want: Rasterize[TraditionalForm[a]]+Rasterize[TraditionalForm[b]] $\endgroup$
    – VF1
    Commented Nov 4, 2012 at 19:18
  • $\begingroup$ What exactly are you trying to do? I see the problem but I don't understand the objective well enough to offer alternatives. Your suggested fix still makes x+1 turn into 1+x, right? $\endgroup$
    – Rojo
    Commented Nov 4, 2012 at 19:26
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @Rojo actually, don't worry about it. I figured it out. plus = Row[{#1, " + ", #2}] &; was what I was looking for: x~plus~1 // TraditionalForm gives exactly what I want. $\endgroup$
    – VF1
    Commented Nov 4, 2012 at 19:29
  • $\begingroup$ Yeah, that would work for 2 arguments, for more you can use Riffle. Row@Riffle[{##}, " + "] &. I would prefer using that as Format to plus more than as an ownvalue. Something like Format[plus[args__]] := Interpretation[HoldForm[Plus[args]], plus[args]] $\endgroup$
    – Rojo
    Commented Nov 4, 2012 at 19:49
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Also, perhaps you would like wrapping your code in Module (or Block, depending on what you are doing) with Plus=plus, so you can use the + symbol at will. Module[{Plus = plus}, x + 1] $\endgroup$
    – Rojo
    Commented Nov 4, 2012 at 19:50

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3
$\begingroup$

With the suggested edits from Rojo in the comments above, the following is what answers my question:

plus[args__] := Row[Riffle[{args}, " + "]]

Then, Block[{Plus = plus}, x + 1 + i + 4 + z] // TraditionalForm returns:

enter image description here

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
5
  • $\begingroup$ Looks good, +1. The idea of using Interpretation however was so that the output, if used literally as input, would be interpreted as ´plus[x,1,y...]` if you wanted to further operate on that, even though it "looks like" plus. If you care about that then the second argument shouldn't be ´Row[Riffle...` but plus[args]. If you don't care about that then you can do without ´Interpretation´ and use your Row@Riffle or that HoldForm@Plus $\endgroup$
    – Rojo
    Commented Nov 6, 2012 at 5:53
  • $\begingroup$ @Rojo Yes - the whole point was just presentation anyway. But do you have any ideas as to why ClearAttributes didn't work? $\endgroup$
    – VF1
    Commented Nov 6, 2012 at 6:54
  • $\begingroup$ sorry for the late response. I was planning on digging into it before answering, but got sidetracked and lazy. So far I hadn't thought of a good reason why, and my lack of humility makes my ignorance default to "bug" $\endgroup$
    – Rojo
    Commented Nov 19, 2012 at 19:05
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Hmmm... what about if he has terms with negative coefficients? $\endgroup$
    – JohnD
    Commented Aug 16, 2013 at 23:56
  • $\begingroup$ @JohnD - It's interesting you pointed that out. That issue was actually resolved in another question. A combination of that answer and maybe some tinkering should do the job. $\endgroup$
    – VF1
    Commented Aug 19, 2013 at 5:43

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.