17

From clean kernel, when typing 

 result = Reduce[2 d^2 == -((2*(1 + d) + ((4 d^3)/(1 - d)))*(d - 1)),d]

Here what version 12 displays on the screen, compared to version 11.3

Mathematica graphics

Compare to 11.3

Mathematica graphics

I want 12 to display the result like 11.3 did. I know I can apply InputForm to the result of 12 to make it display like 11.3, but I do not want to do this each time.

I tried to search options inspector, but not sure what to look for.

xzczd
  • 65,995
  • 9
  • 163
  • 468
Nasser
  • 143,286
  • 11
  • 154
  • 359
  • 6
    This behavior is the single change in version 12 I most dislike. (Same thing happens with Solve, of course.) The default output obfuscates the distinction between exact solutions with numerical approximations. While engineers and other "practical" folks may like the new behavior, I really see no good rationale, and a discrepancy the way even version 12 leaves other irrational quantities as exact expressions. – murray Jun 13 '19 at 19:42
  • 7
    SetSystemOptions[ "TypesetOptions" -> "NumericalApproximationForms" -> False] – ilian Jun 13 '19 at 19:43
  • @ilian: Is there an option to do this in Option Inspector? If so, where? And if not, why in the world not? – murray Jun 13 '19 at 19:47
  • 5
    The option inspector is for FrontEnd options, while the typesetting is the kernel's responsibility here. This command could be placed in the kernel's init.m file if you would like to be executed automatically every time. – ilian Jun 13 '19 at 19:54
  • @JasonB For the moment it looks like just Root and AlgebraicNumber... not sure about future plans. I can make an answer out of the comments, but it's totally fine if someone else beats me to it. – ilian Jun 14 '19 at 03:02
  • 5
    @murray I'm probably in the "practical folks" category, and I still hate this change. It also seems to me that it confuses beginners more than it helps them. – Szabolcs Jul 26 '19 at 15:19
  • 2
    I like the fact that Root can be displayed more compactly like this, but I think the design could have been way better. I'd much prefer some kind of elided TraditionalForm polynomial and a number on the right. i.e. just take the original form and make it more compact. – b3m2a1 Jul 26 '19 at 15:21

1 Answers1

17

Making the comments into an an answer as suggested.

SetSystemOptions[ "TypesetOptions" -> "NumericalApproximationForms" -> False]

will restore the legacy typesetting for Root and AlgebraicNumber.

This command could be placed in the kernel's init.m file if you would like to be executed automatically every time. (The option inspector is for FrontEnd options)

ilian
  • 25,474
  • 4
  • 117
  • 186