Question

Is anyone familiar with Maple17? If so, would you please explain to me how to multiply an algebraic expression such as (a-b)(a-c)(a-d)? I would need to get the terms with the powers, not a simplified expression. Thank you!

Answer 1

if my memory serves me (i haven't used maple in a while) you can use the command "expand"
although that was for older versions, maybe there is an easier way now

Answer 2

this one you can probably do in wolfram
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=expand+%28a-b%29%28a-c%29%28a-d%29

Answer 3

what I need to multiply actually has 9 terms, it's things like (a-b)(a-c)(a-d)(b-c)(b-d)(b-a)(c-a)(c-b)(c-d)

I tried using expand in maple, but for some reason, it's giving me
this:
(a(a-c))(a-d))(b-a))(b-c))(b-d))(c-a))(c-b))(c-d)-(b(a-c))(a-d))(b-a))(b-c))(b-d))(c-a))(c-b))(c-d)

Answer 4

92 terms !
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=expand+%28a-b%29%28a-c%29%28a-d%29%28b-c%29%28b-d%29%28b-a%29%28c-a%29%28c-b%29%28c-d%29

Answer 5

I have to do a ton of these problems. Haha FML. Thank you for your help!