SciPy

numpy.poly1d

class numpy.poly1d(c_or_r, r=0, variable=None)[source]

A one-dimensional polynomial class.

A convenience class, used to encapsulate “natural” operations on polynomials so that said operations may take on their customary form in code (see Examples).

Parameters:

c_or_r : array_like

The polynomial’s coefficients, in decreasing powers, or if the value of the second parameter is True, the polynomial’s roots (values where the polynomial evaluates to 0). For example, poly1d([1, 2, 3]) returns an object that represents x^2 + 2x + 3, whereas poly1d([1, 2, 3], True) returns one that represents (x-1)(x-2)(x-3) = x^3 - 6x^2 + 11x -6.

r : bool, optional

If True, c_or_r specifies the polynomial’s roots; the default is False.

variable : str, optional

Changes the variable used when printing p from x to variable (see Examples).

Examples

Construct the polynomial x^2 + 2x + 3:

>>> p = np.poly1d([1, 2, 3])
>>> print np.poly1d(p)
   2
1 x + 2 x + 3

Evaluate the polynomial at x = 0.5:

>>> p(0.5)
4.25

Find the roots:

>>> p.r
array([-1.+1.41421356j, -1.-1.41421356j])
>>> p(p.r)
array([ -4.44089210e-16+0.j,  -4.44089210e-16+0.j])

These numbers in the previous line represent (0, 0) to machine precision

Show the coefficients:

>>> p.c
array([1, 2, 3])

Display the order (the leading zero-coefficients are removed):

>>> p.order
2

Show the coefficient of the k-th power in the polynomial (which is equivalent to p.c[-(i+1)]):

>>> p[1]
2

Polynomials can be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided (returns quotient and remainder):

>>> p * p
poly1d([ 1,  4, 10, 12,  9])
>>> (p**3 + 4) / p
(poly1d([  1.,   4.,  10.,  12.,   9.]), poly1d([ 4.]))

asarray(p) gives the coefficient array, so polynomials can be used in all functions that accept arrays:

>>> p**2 # square of polynomial
poly1d([ 1,  4, 10, 12,  9])
>>> np.square(p) # square of individual coefficients
array([1, 4, 9])

The variable used in the string representation of p can be modified, using the variable parameter:

>>> p = np.poly1d([1,2,3], variable='z')
>>> print p
   2
1 z + 2 z + 3

Construct a polynomial from its roots:

>>> np.poly1d([1, 2], True)
poly1d([ 1, -3,  2])

This is the same polynomial as obtained by:

>>> np.poly1d([1, -1]) * np.poly1d([1, -2])
poly1d([ 1, -3,  2])

Attributes

coeffs
order
variable

Methods

deriv([m]) Return a derivative of this polynomial.
integ([m, k]) Return an antiderivative (indefinite integral) of this polynomial.

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