1. Is there a maxima function to test whether two expressions are
mathematically equivalent? These expressions might involve elementary
functions combined via the usual arithmetic operations (+,-,*,/,
exponentiation)? Of course ratsimp might convert them to an identical
form, but sometimes it might not.
I've heard that some CAS systems do this kind of test by trying to
evaluate the expressions at various random data points. Is there
anything like this built into Maxima?
2. Given such an equality tester, can one access it from another program
(like a Perl program), through a unix socket or the like?
I have a program for administering and grading web-based exams written
in Perl (using essay-type questions --- I hate multiple-choice
questions). I'd like to extend it to handling mathematical problems
(since I'm teaching calculus courses in the coming Fall). The program
already parses the MathML that the exams generates and now it boils down
to testing whether two expressions are equivalent.
Thank you!
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