Re: [q-lang-users] Unparse on Rationals

[Rob H. <hub...@gm...>]

John Cowan wrote:
> Rob Hubbard scripsit:
>
>   
>> I wondered whether it would be preferable to present, for example:
>>
>>     3%1  as just  3
>>         The LHS has the advantage of looking like the rational it is
>>         The RHS is clearly simpler
>>     
>
> I prefer the RHS here, but worry about people being misled by it.
> Would you want to see 3+0*i as 3 also?
>
>   
I suppose that's related to the normal form problem that you mentioned 
before.
Well, I'd like these to be mutually consistent: both simplified, or 
neither simplified.
>>     11%5  as  2+1%5
>>         The LHS is simpler this time
>>         The magnitude of the RHS more obvious (i.e. that it's "2 and a bit")
>>     
>
> I definitely prefer the LHS in this case, because 2+1%5+3+2%5*i is
> completely misleading (or would it be parenthesized by the unparser?)
>   
It would have to be (2+1%5)+(3+2%5)*i.
Yes, I think I prefer 11%5+17%5*i in this case too.

Rob.