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Context: I have equations for indexed coefficients $C_{ij}$ which I have represented using 2-variable functions in Mathematica. e.g.,

c[2,1]+c[3,0]==0
c[1,2]+2c[2,1]+c[3,0]==0

etc.

Now, my coefficients are symmetric--i.e., $C_{ij}=C_{ji}$ so, when I use functions like Reduce/Solve or Simplify for these equations, I would like Mathematica to recognize $c[1,2]+2c[2,1]=3c[1,2]$, for example.

Question: How does one implement this index symmetry in Mathematica? The implementation of this need not use 2-variable functions; I'd be happy to use a different object type to represent my indexed coefficients.

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  • $\begingroup$ Capital C has a built in meaning in Mathematica, see here. It's generally best not to use capitals so you can avoid conflicts. $\endgroup$
    – aardvark2012
    Dec 1, 2017 at 1:08
  • $\begingroup$ @aardvark2012 good point. I will change it. $\endgroup$
    – user143410
    Dec 1, 2017 at 1:12

1 Answer 1

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At the beginning of your notebook, set the attribute of c to be Orderless.

SetAttributes[c, Orderless];

Then, all arguments of c will be sorted canonically, allowing you to solve for c in your subsequent equations.

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