Pattern Matching documentation + Expression identification

[Former user]

Is there any documentation about how to use the pattern matching?

I get from the user pre defined expression, and trying to check if it is linear / polynomial equation:

a+2b+5=4c - Linear equation a^2 + b^7 = f^3 - polynomial

Can the pattern matching help me do it?

Thanks

[Axel Kramer]

This should match a linear expression a+b*x:

a_. + b_. * x_

This should match a quadratic expression with nonzero linear term:

a_. + b_. * x_ + c_. * x_^2

I started a patterns and rules description document.

For your use case the CoefficientList or the PolynomialQ function will probably better suitable?

>> CoefficientList(a+b*x, x)
{a,b}

>> CoefficientList(a+b*x+c*x^2, x)
{a,b,c}

>> CoefficientList(a+c*x^2, x)
{a,0,c}

[Axel Kramer]

Please use the Github issue tracker to open a new issue if this issue shouldn't be closed Github issues