## Exercise for the course Python for MATLAB users, by Olivier Verdier¶

In [ ]:
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
%matplotlib inline

The goal of this exercise is to define a class Polynomial, which behaves like a polynomial. For instance

p = Polynomial([1.,2.])

should represent the polynomial $1 + 2X$.

The object p should be callable

p(.2) # value of the polynomial at 0.2

One should be able to add, multiply two polynomials.

You will be guided through by the following detailed tasks.

In [ ]:
class Polynomial:
pass # implement here

Implement the __init__ method, which stores a list of coefficients. Use the array function to copy the list, or array, of coefficiente which is passed. Store the coefficients in a property coeffs.

In [ ]:
a = np.array([1.,2.])
p = Polynomial(a)
assert not p.coeffs is a

Implement the method __getitem__, which allows to give acess to the coefficients. An out of bound index should return zero, like in mathematics.

In [ ]:
assert np.allclose(p[0], 1.)
assert np.allclose(p[3], 0.)

In [ ]:
q = Polynomial([1.,2.,3])
z = p+q
assert np.allclose((p+q)[0], 2.)
assert np.allclose((p+q)[2], 3.)

Implement the method __repr__, which returns a string such as Polynomial(array([1.,2.])).

Hint: use the function repr on the coefficient array of the polynomial.

In [ ]:
assert repr(p) == "Polynomial(array([ 1., 2.]))"

Implement differentiate which returns the derivative of the polynomial.

In [ ]:
assert np.allclose(p.differentiate().coeffs, array([2.]))

Implement the method __call__, which evaluates the polynomial at a given point.

Bonus if the method works with array inputs, like p(array([1.,2.,3.]).

Hint: Use the functions reduce and, possibly, the function reversed.

In [ ]:
reduce?
In [ ]:
assert allclose(p(0.), 1.)