Online Algebra Calculator
Many of users do not use powerful Maxima computer algebra system for systematic work, but for ad hoc algebraic calculations – equations, functions, matrixes, etc. only. To do this job, it is not useful to download the whole application from a web site.
Function: compare (<x>, <y>) Return a comparison operator <op> (<, <=, >, >=, =, or #) such that is (<x> <op> <y>) evaluates to true; when either <x> or <y> depends on %i and <x> # <y>, return notcomparable; when there is no such operator or Maxima isnt able to determine the operator, return unknown.
Examples:
(%i1) compare (1, 2);
(%o1) <
(%i2) compare (1, x);
(%o2) unknown
(%i3) compare (%i, %i);
(%o3) =
(%i4) compare (%i, %i + 1);
(%o4) notcomparable
(%i5) compare (1/x, 0);
(%o5) #
(%i6) compare (x, abs(x));
(%o6) <= The function compare doesnt try to determine whether the real domains of its arguments are nonempty; thus
(%i1) compare (acos (x^2 + 1), acos (x^2 + 1) + 1);
(%o1) < The real domain of acos (x^2 + 1) is empty.
(%o1) true (%i2)