I have been using Maxima extensively with
simp:false
to prevent simplification of very simple algebraic expressions
within my learning and teaching application.
(1) Is it possible to perform only "steps" in the calculation. That
is to say, perform only one simplification at a time? I know this
will be quite complicated and probably needs a tighter specification
from me to make a sensible question, but has anyone looked into this
problem?
(2) How would I go about writing a function which selectively
simplified on some of the algebraic properties. For example, I'd
like to use idempotence and write a function which matched
0*x = 0
and identities as
0+x = x
1*x = x