Expanding Expressions |
To expand an expression by multiplying out powers and products, and applying identities for common functions, select the expression and either:
- or -
Then press [Enter].
(x + y)3 expand → x3 + 3·x2·y + 3·x·y2 + y3
sin(2x) expand → 2·cos(x)·sin(x)
You can prevent terms in the expression from being expanded by adding a comma and listing the terms as a comma-separated list after "expand." For example, to expand only the second binomial in (x + 1)·(y + z), add the first binomial as an argument.
(x + 1)·(y + z) expand, (x + 1)→ y·(x + 1) + z·(x + 1)
The following link opens a Mathcad worksheet containing live examples of "expand."
Another method is to select the expression and click Expand on the Symbolics menu. In this case the result will not automatically update if you make changes elsewhere in the worksheet.
If the expression is a fraction, the numerator expands and the expression is written as a sum of fractions.
Sines, cosines, and tangents of sums of variables, or integer multiples of variables, expand as far as possible into expressions involving only sines and cosines of single variables.
If the expression can't be expanded further, this command returns it unchanged.