Point users of solve() to the to_poly_solve option

[benjaminfjones]

Many users of of the solve() function complain that Sage can't solve some simple equations, when in fact it can if the to_poly_solve=True option is passed. See, for example:

http://ask.sagemath.org/question/506/solving-complex-equation

sage: z = var('z')
sage: solve(sin(z) + cos(z) == 2, z)
[sin(z) == -cos(z) + 2]

I propose that when Maxima returns an implicit solution, solve() should display an informative message to the user about the existence of the to_poly_solve parameter.

CC: @kcrisman

Component: documentation

Keywords: solve, maxima, to_poly_solve

Author: Andrew Fleckenstein

Reviewer: Karl-Dieter Crisman, Benjamin Jones

Issue created by migration from https://trac.sagemath.org/ticket/11201

[kcrisman]

comment:1

I further propose that this ticket should clarify all the options involved - I still don't get the !use_grobner one.

[sagetrac-afleckenstein]

solve documentation fix

[sagetrac-afleckenstein]

comment:2

Attachment: trac_11201_solve_documentation_enhancements.patch.gz

The patch I have created does two main things. First, it modifies the documentation in sage.symbolic.expression.Expression.solve and sage.symbolic.relation.solve to convey mostly the same information, as well as include all of the options (including 'use_grobner'.) Second,
it gives the user a clue when explicit results are not found. Specifically, it points the user to the to_poly_solve option, per benjaminfjones's request. I don't know if this should be included, as it gets monotonous to see the message over and over again very quickly.

[kcrisman]

Author: A. Fleckenstein

[kcrisman]

comment:3

A few comments.

• One of the examples is over-indented
• The examples in the global solve should be somehow marked as only applying to single expressions, not lists of expressions (and in particular multiplicities only does, I think)
• The error message or whatever you call it should be doctested

But this is well on the way to a great addition, thank you for taking the time to do something tedious but necessary. Please feel free to add yourself to the main list of Trac users, and please put your name as you desire it in Authors below.

[kcrisman]

Reviewer: Karl-Dieter Crisman

[sagetrac-afleckenstein]

Changed author from A. Fleckenstein to Andrew Fleckenstein