Math in PHP??

[jeremic]

Im creating a website with math functions but not the simple stuff. I'm not starting anything until I can get somethign confirmed. Is it possible in PHP to create a script to calculate lets say (x+y)^2

[trq]

Have you looked at the [url=http://php.net/math]math[/url] functions?

[jeremic]

Yes I have but what I'm trying to find out if a function can be created to raise arbitrary variables such as X and Y to powers as stated above. I know that you can raise a number to a power but can you raise a letter? and get a letter as an out put??

(x + y)^3 = x^3 + 3x^2y + 3xy^2 + y^3

[doni49]

NO you can't "raise a [b]letter[/b]".  But a raise a [b]variable[/b]--YES.

$x = 2;
$y = 4;

$a = $y + $x;  //$a will equal 6
$a = $y * $x;  //$a will equal 8

$a = pow($x, 2); //$a will equal 4  ->  (2 squared)
$a = pow($y, -2); //$a will equal 2 -> (square root of 4)

[Barand]

$a = pow($y, -2); //$a will equal 0.0625 -> (1 / 4^2)
$a = pow($y, 1/2); //$a will equal 2 -> (square root of 4)

[extrovertive]

Basially, he wants a function that can do his Algebra homework.

He's not asking us to do any calcuating that will output a numeric value - just factoring Algebric expression.

Like, inputting "(x-y)^2" in the textbox will output "x^2 -xy -xy + y^2" or "x^2 -2xy + y^2" (simpfiled).

Inputting "(x + y)^3" will output "x^3 + 3x^2y + 3xy^2 + y^3"

If that's the case, seems complicated...