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I am creating Taylor polynomials and exporting them using TeXForm. When a polynomial p[x] is displayed in Mathematica, it shows, for instance, 1+x+x^2+x^3. However, TeXForm always reverses the polynomial, giving it with largest power first:

TeXForm[p[x]] = x^3+x^2+x+1.

How can I keep the polynomial in the same order? Taylor polynomials are generally thought of as being constructed from low-to-high powers, so reading them in the generated format is a bit confusing to some.

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2 Answers 2

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Use HoldForm:

In[]:= TeXForm[HoldForm[1 + x + x^2 + x^3]]

Out[]//TeXForm= 1+x+x^2+x^3

Or for a function p[x] evaluating to a polynomial:

In[9]:= TeXForm[HoldForm[Evaluate[p[x]]]]

Out[9]//TeXForm=
1+x+x^2+x^3
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  • $\begingroup$ This works if I copy/paste the output into TeXForm[HoldForm[...]]; I'd rather it be done automatically. Using "TeXForm[HoldForm[p[x]]]" just returns "p(x)". $\endgroup$
    – GregH
    Commented Dec 18, 2012 at 16:48
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    $\begingroup$ How about TeXForm[HoldForm[Evaluate[p[x]]]]? $\endgroup$
    – Joel Klein
    Commented Dec 18, 2012 at 17:19
  • $\begingroup$ Your answer works. If it were a separate answer, I'd accept it; it is more elegant than using an undocumented command. $\endgroup$
    – GregH
    Commented Dec 18, 2012 at 17:45
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    $\begingroup$ Answer edited to add the form for a function p[x]. $\endgroup$
    – Joel Klein
    Commented Dec 18, 2012 at 17:54
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You can also use the undocumented (and probably deprecated, so beware!) PolynomialForm.

poly = Expand[(1+x)^10]

TeXForm@PolynomialForm[poly, TraditionalOrder -> False]

(* ==> "1+10 x+45 x^2+120 x^3+210 x^4+252 x^5+210 x^6+120 x^7+45 x^8+10 x^9+x^{10}" *)
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  • $\begingroup$ Thanks. This works, but using TeXForm[HoldForm[Evaluate[p[x]]]] is probably better. $\endgroup$
    – GregH
    Commented Dec 18, 2012 at 17:44

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