Re: how to simplify sums with constant subterms?

 Hi All,
Why isn't "sum" additive and linear by default?
Daniel Volinski
    En lunes, 17 de agosto de 2026, 14:52:47 GMT+3, Barton Willis via Maxima-discuss <[email protected]> escribió:  
 
  Not so easy to find in the user documentation, I think:

(%i1) display2d : false$
(%i2) declare(sum,linear)$
(%i3) sum(x + a[i], i, 1, n);
(%o3) n*x+'sum(a[i],i,1,n)(%i4)

If you all have more questions, please ask.  Also, if you search the mailing list archives, I think you will find other references toMaximum Likelihood Estimation.
--BartonFrom: Claude Heiland-Allen <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2026 5:34 AM
To: Maxima-discuss <[email protected]>
Subject: [Maxima-discuss] how to simplify sums with constant subterms? Caution: Non-NU Email


Dear list,


Maxima simplifies

sum(x, i, 1, n)

to

n * x

which is great.


But I have not figured out how to get Maxima to simplify

sum(x + a[i], i, 1, n)

to

n * x + sum(a[i], i, 1, n)


Any ideas/suggestions?


(This is in the context of Maximum Likelihood Estimation, where
eventually I want to solve more complicated equations for x given n and
a[i].)


Thanks,


Claude
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