Re: [Maxima-discuss] Why does 'solve' not work here?

[Barton W. <wi...@un...>]

> Given the two simultaneous equations:
> sin(y) = 0 sin(x-y) = sin(y)
> will Maxima solve them using a single input command, calling just a single one of its built in functions?

I agree with Richard---almost  certainly the answer is no.  There are three Maxima solvers: solve,
to_poly_solve, and Solver. Maybe you will like Solver the best:

  (%i7) load(Solver)$

  (%i8) Solver([sin(y) = 0, sin(x-y) = sin(y)],[x,y]);
    solve: using arc-trig functions to get a solution.
    Some solutions will be lost.
    solve: using arc-trig functions to get a solution.
    Some solutions will be lost.
  (%o8) [[x=0,y=0]]

In the best of all possible worlds, a solve function would find the solution set of these equations
with no human intervention.  But again, the reason why to_poly_solve fails on this system isn't all that 
interesting: the limitation is purely the time and effort required to make to_poly_solve (or solve or Solver) 
better.

--Barton