signum() evaluation is too slow



Is it really necessary to factor?

(%i9) factor(x^10-1);
(out9) (x-1)*(x+1)*(x^4-x^3+x^2-x+1)*(x^4+x^3+x^2+x+1)
(%i10) signum(x^10-1);
(out10) signum(x^10-1)

Can you turn this off?  Signum() does not use the result is many cases
anyway.

Rich


On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 12:42 AM, Richard Fateman
<fateman at cs.berkeley.edu>wrote:

>
>
>> What is maxima doing here that takes so long?
>>
> It is calling factor.
>
> do  :lisp (trace factor)
>
>
> Why? probably looking to take out a sign from one of the factors?
>
> RJF
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Maxima mailing list
> Maxima at math.utexas.edu
> http://www.math.utexas.edu/mailman/listinfo/maxima
>