Dieter Kaiser wrote:
>
> I am wondering if we can extend the display package to display e.g.
> 2^(3/2) as 2*sqrt(2) accordingly.
>
Surely this can be done. That does not mean it should be done.
Some people would prefer to see 2+1/2 instead of 5/2. That does not
mean it should be done...
In general there is a tension between humans adapting to what amounts to
an automated, consistent, computerized world view on the one hand, and
rewriting the computer programs to adopt some collection of
individualized, context-dependent, ambiguously specified human views.
If you have nothing better to do, you can try to rewrite the computer
programs. Mathematica added a mode that attempts to imitate "normal"
mathematical notation, presumably in response to complaints that Sin[x]
was unnatural, etc. But that mode is inadequate for unambiguous input.
Whether the change should be done to the display or via some
simplification program is not clear.
RJF