coefficient() with composite variable

Say I have something like this:

var('a','b','c')
test=b*a + c*a + 3*a + b + c

I can find that the coefficient of 'a' is (b+c+3) using:

test.coefficient(a,1)

However, I am interested in find the coefficient of $ab$ (which in this case would just be $1$). I tried

test.coefficient(a*b,1)

but it just returns zero. Is something like this possible?

1 Answer

Sort by » oldest newest most voted

You can work in a polynomial ring.

sage: R.<a,b,c> = PolynomialRing(QQ)
sage: p = b * a + c * a + 3 * a + b + c
sage: p.coefficient(a*b)
1

Please start posting anonymously - your entry will be published after you log in or create a new account.

1 follower

Asked: 2013-04-15 10:45:57 +0100

Seen: 249 times

Last updated: Apr 15 '13