[Maxima-discuss] Extracting the constant from a sum of exponentials

[Eduardo O. <edu...@gm...>]

Hi list! A beginner question...
Suppose that we do this:

  f : sin(x)^4 * cos(x)^2;
  g : expand(exponentialize(f));

Then g will be a sum of exponentials that includes a constant term.
I can obtain the coefficient of, say, exp(6*%i*x) in that sum by doing

  coeff(g, exp(6*%i*x));

but I don't know how to extract the constant term - i.e., how to
obtain the coefficient of exp(0*%i*x)... these things don't work:

  coeff(g, exp(0*%i*x));
  coeff(g, x, 0);
  coeff(g, 1);

I know Emacs Lisp quite well but I haven't started playing with Common
Lisp yet. The obvious answer to my question is "take a look at the
`(defmfun $coeff ...)' and at the `(defun coeff ...)' and try to write
something similar yourself - you will learn lots of useful things" -
but is there a way to extract that coefficient from Maxima without
tinkering with the Lisp?

  Thanks in advance!
    Eduardo Ochs
    http://angg.twu.net/#eev
    http://angg.twu.net/eev-maxima.html