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Sympy

  • 900 installs
  • 32k repo stars
  • Updated July 29, 2026
  • k-dense-ai/scientific-agent-skills

sympy is an agent skill that guides coding agents to write reliable symbolic mathematics, geometry, algebra, and equation-solving Python using the SymPy library.

About

sympy is an agent skill from the k-dense-ai scientific-agent-skills collection that teaches coding agents to produce correct SymPy Python for symbolic mathematics. Coverage spans advanced topics including 2D geometry with Point, Line, Circle, Triangle, and Polygon objects, number theory, combinatorics, logic and sets, statistics, polynomials, and special functions. Developers reach for sympy when building scientific calculators, engineering tooling, or agent workflows that need exact symbolic solutions rather than floating-point approximations. The skill provides code patterns for distance calculations, line equations, segment lengths, and equation systems so generated Python executes without common SymPy API mistakes.

  • Advanced symbolic mathematics with exact results instead of floating-point approximations
  • Comprehensive geometry module supporting points, lines, segments, circles, triangles and polygons
  • Built-in capabilities for number theory, combinatorics, polynomials, statistics and special functions
  • Seamless integration with SymPy's core symbolic engine for equation solving and simplification
  • Production-grade mathematical verification for agent-generated scientific and engineering code

Sympy by the numbers

  • 900 all-time installs (skills.sh)
  • +42 installs in the week ending Jul 29, 2026 (Skillselion tracking)
  • Ranked #1,175 of 16,570 AI & Agent Building skills by installs in the Skillselion catalog
  • Security screen: MEDIUM risk (skills.sh audit)
  • Data as of Jul 29, 2026 (Skillselion catalog sync)
npx skills add https://github.com/k-dense-ai/scientific-agent-skills --skill sympy

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Last updatedJuly 29, 2026
Repositoryk-dense-ai/scientific-agent-skills

How do you solve symbolic math equations in Python?

Let their coding agent perform reliable symbolic mathematics, geometry, algebra, and equation solving inside generated Python code.

Who is it for?

Python developers and scientific computing engineers who need agent-generated SymPy code for exact symbolic math instead of numeric approximations.

Skip if: Developers needing high-performance numeric linear algebra on large matrices should use NumPy or SciPy instead of symbolic SymPy.

When should I use this skill?

Writing symbolic algebra, geometry calculations, polynomial solving, or exact equation systems in generated Python code.

What you get

Executable SymPy Python scripts with symbolic solutions for algebra, geometry, polynomials, and equation systems.

  • symbolic Python scripts
  • exact equation solutions

By the numbers

  • Covers 7+ SymPy domains including geometry, number theory, combinatorics, and polynomials

Files

SKILL.mdMarkdownGitHub ↗

SymPy - Symbolic Mathematics in Python

Overview

SymPy is a Python library for symbolic mathematics that enables exact computation using mathematical symbols rather than numerical approximations. This skill provides comprehensive guidance for performing symbolic algebra, calculus, linear algebra, equation solving, physics calculations, and code generation using SymPy.

Installation

Tested against SymPy 1.14.0 (stable; April 2025). Requires Python 3.9+.

# Install SymPy using uv
uv pip install "sympy>=1.14"

# Optional: for lambdify and plotting examples
uv pip install numpy scipy matplotlib

Check your version:

import sympy
print(sympy.__version__)

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

  • Solving equations symbolically (algebraic, differential, systems of equations)
  • Performing calculus operations (derivatives, integrals, limits, series)
  • Manipulating and simplifying algebraic expressions
  • Working with matrices and linear algebra symbolically
  • Doing physics calculations (mechanics, quantum mechanics, vector analysis)
  • Number theory computations (primes, factorization, modular arithmetic)
  • Geometric calculations (2D/3D geometry, analytic geometry)
  • Converting mathematical expressions to executable code (Python, C, Fortran)
  • Generating LaTeX or other formatted mathematical output
  • Needing exact mathematical results (e.g., sqrt(2) not 1.414...)

Core Capabilities

1. Symbolic Computation Basics

Creating symbols and expressions:

from sympy import symbols, Symbol
x, y, z = symbols('x y z')
expr = x**2 + 2*x + 1

# With assumptions
x = symbols('x', real=True, positive=True)
n = symbols('n', integer=True)

Simplification and manipulation:

from sympy import simplify, expand, factor, cancel
simplify(sin(x)**2 + cos(x)**2)  # Returns 1
expand((x + 1)**3)  # x**3 + 3*x**2 + 3*x + 1
factor(x**2 - 1)    # (x - 1)*(x + 1)

For detailed basics: See references/core-capabilities.md

2. Calculus

Derivatives:

from sympy import diff
diff(x**2, x)        # 2*x
diff(x**4, x, 3)     # 24*x (third derivative)
diff(x**2*y**3, x, y)  # 6*x*y**2 (partial derivatives)

Integrals:

from sympy import integrate, oo
integrate(x**2, x)              # x**3/3 (indefinite)
integrate(x**2, (x, 0, 1))      # 1/3 (definite)
integrate(exp(-x), (x, 0, oo))  # 1 (improper)

Limits and Series:

from sympy import limit, series
limit(sin(x)/x, x, 0)  # 1
series(exp(x), x, 0, 6)  # 1 + x + x**2/2 + x**3/6 + x**4/24 + x**5/120 + O(x**6)

For detailed calculus operations: See references/core-capabilities.md

3. Equation Solving

Algebraic equations:

from sympy import solveset, solve, Eq
solveset(x**2 - 4, x)  # {-2, 2}
solve(Eq(x**2, 4), x)  # [-2, 2]

Systems of equations:

from sympy import linsolve, nonlinsolve
linsolve([x + y - 2, x - y], x, y)  # {(1, 1)} (linear)
nonlinsolve([x**2 + y - 2, x + y**2 - 3], x, y)  # (nonlinear)

Differential equations:

from sympy import Function, dsolve, Derivative
f = symbols('f', cls=Function)
dsolve(Derivative(f(x), x) - f(x), f(x))  # Eq(f(x), C1*exp(x))

For detailed solving methods: See references/core-capabilities.md

4. Matrices and Linear Algebra

Matrix creation and operations:

from sympy import Matrix, eye, zeros
M = Matrix([[1, 2], [3, 4]])
M_inv = M**-1  # Inverse
M.det()        # Determinant
M.T            # Transpose

Eigenvalues and eigenvectors:

eigenvals = M.eigenvals()  # {eigenvalue: multiplicity}
eigenvects = M.eigenvects()  # [(eigenval, mult, [eigenvectors])]
P, D = M.diagonalize()  # M = P*D*P^-1

Solving linear systems:

A = Matrix([[1, 2], [3, 4]])
b = Matrix([5, 6])
x = A.solve(b)  # Solve Ax = b

For comprehensive linear algebra: See references/matrices-linear-algebra.md

5. Physics and Mechanics

Classical mechanics:

from sympy.physics.mechanics import dynamicsymbols, LagrangesMethod
from sympy import symbols

# Define system
q = dynamicsymbols('q')
m, g, l = symbols('m g l')

# Lagrangian (T - V)
L = m*(l*q.diff())**2/2 - m*g*l*(1 - cos(q))

# Apply Lagrange's method
LM = LagrangesMethod(L, [q])

Vector analysis:

from sympy.physics.vector import ReferenceFrame, dot, cross
N = ReferenceFrame('N')
v1 = 3*N.x + 4*N.y
v2 = 1*N.x + 2*N.z
dot(v1, v2)  # Dot product
cross(v1, v2)  # Cross product

Quantum mechanics:

from sympy.physics.quantum import Ket, Bra, Operator, Commutator
A, B = Operator('A'), Operator('B')
psi = Ket('psi')
comm = Commutator(A, B).doit()

For detailed physics capabilities: See references/physics-mechanics.md

6. Advanced Mathematics

The skill includes comprehensive support for:

  • Geometry: 2D/3D analytic geometry, points, lines, circles, polygons, transformations
  • Number Theory: Primes, factorization, GCD/LCM, modular arithmetic, Diophantine equations
  • Combinatorics: Permutations, combinations, partitions, group theory
  • Logic and Sets: Boolean logic, set theory, finite and infinite sets
  • Statistics: Probability distributions, random variables, expectation, variance
  • Special Functions: Gamma, Bessel, orthogonal polynomials, hypergeometric functions
  • Polynomials: Polynomial algebra, roots, factorization, Groebner bases

For detailed advanced topics: See references/advanced-topics.md

7. Code Generation and Output

Convert to executable functions:

from sympy import lambdify
import numpy as np

expr = x**2 + 2*x + 1
f = lambdify(x, expr, 'numpy')  # Create NumPy function
x_vals = np.linspace(0, 10, 100)
y_vals = f(x_vals)  # Fast numerical evaluation

Generate C/Fortran code:

from sympy.utilities.codegen import codegen
[(c_name, c_code), (h_name, h_header)] = codegen(
    ('my_func', expr), 'C'
)

LaTeX output:

from sympy import latex
latex_str = latex(expr)  # Convert to LaTeX for documents

For comprehensive code generation: See references/code-generation-printing.md

Working with SymPy: Best Practices

1. Always Define Symbols First

from sympy import symbols
x, y, z = symbols('x y z')
# Now x, y, z can be used in expressions

2. Use Assumptions for Better Simplification

x = symbols('x', positive=True, real=True)
sqrt(x**2)  # Returns x (not Abs(x)) due to positive assumption

Common assumptions: real, positive, negative, integer, rational, complex, even, odd

3. Use Exact Arithmetic

from sympy import Rational, S
# Correct (exact):
expr = Rational(1, 2) * x
expr = S(1)/2 * x

# Incorrect (floating-point):
expr = 0.5 * x  # Creates approximate value

4. Numerical Evaluation When Needed

from sympy import pi, sqrt
result = sqrt(8) + pi
result.evalf()    # 5.96371554103586
result.evalf(50)  # 50 digits of precision

5. Convert to NumPy for Performance

# Slow for many evaluations:
for x_val in range(1000):
    result = expr.subs(x, x_val).evalf()

# Fast:
f = lambdify(x, expr, 'numpy')
results = f(np.arange(1000))

6. Use Appropriate Solvers

  • solveset: Algebraic equations (primary)
  • linsolve: Linear systems
  • nonlinsolve: Nonlinear systems
  • dsolve: Differential equations
  • solve: General purpose (legacy, but flexible)

Reference Files Structure

This skill uses modular reference files for different capabilities:

1. `core-capabilities.md`: Symbols, algebra, calculus, simplification, equation solving

  • Load when: Basic symbolic computation, calculus, or solving equations

2. `matrices-linear-algebra.md`: Matrix operations, eigenvalues, linear systems

  • Load when: Working with matrices or linear algebra problems

3. `physics-mechanics.md`: Classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, vectors, units

  • Load when: Physics calculations or mechanics problems

4. `advanced-topics.md`: Geometry, number theory, combinatorics, logic, statistics

  • Load when: Advanced mathematical topics beyond basic algebra and calculus

5. `code-generation-printing.md`: Lambdify, codegen, LaTeX output, printing

  • Load when: Converting expressions to code or generating formatted output

Common Use Case Patterns

Pattern 1: Solve and Verify

from sympy import symbols, solve, simplify
x = symbols('x')

# Solve equation
equation = x**2 - 5*x + 6
solutions = solve(equation, x)  # [2, 3]

# Verify solutions
for sol in solutions:
    result = simplify(equation.subs(x, sol))
    assert result == 0

Pattern 2: Symbolic to Numeric Pipeline

# 1. Define symbolic problem
x, y = symbols('x y')
expr = sin(x) + cos(y)

# 2. Manipulate symbolically
simplified = simplify(expr)
derivative = diff(simplified, x)

# 3. Convert to numerical function
f = lambdify((x, y), derivative, 'numpy')

# 4. Evaluate numerically
results = f(x_data, y_data)

Pattern 3: Document Mathematical Results

# Compute result symbolically
integral_expr = Integral(x**2, (x, 0, 1))
result = integral_expr.doit()

# Generate documentation
print(f"LaTeX: {latex(integral_expr)} = {latex(result)}")
print(f"Pretty: {pretty(integral_expr)} = {pretty(result)}")
print(f"Numerical: {result.evalf()}")

Integration with Scientific Workflows

With NumPy

import numpy as np
from sympy import symbols, lambdify

x = symbols('x')
expr = x**2 + 2*x + 1

f = lambdify(x, expr, 'numpy')
x_array = np.linspace(-5, 5, 100)
y_array = f(x_array)

With Matplotlib

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
from sympy import symbols, lambdify, sin

x = symbols('x')
expr = sin(x) / x

f = lambdify(x, expr, 'numpy')
x_vals = np.linspace(-10, 10, 1000)
y_vals = f(x_vals)

plt.plot(x_vals, y_vals)
plt.show()

With SciPy

from scipy.optimize import fsolve
from sympy import symbols, lambdify

# Define equation symbolically
x = symbols('x')
equation = x**3 - 2*x - 5

# Convert to numerical function
f = lambdify(x, equation, 'numpy')

# Solve numerically with initial guess
solution = fsolve(f, 2)

Quick Reference: Most Common Functions

# Symbols
from sympy import symbols, Symbol
x, y = symbols('x y')

# Basic operations
from sympy import simplify, expand, factor, collect, cancel
from sympy import sqrt, exp, log, sin, cos, tan, pi, E, I, oo

# Calculus
from sympy import diff, integrate, limit, series, Derivative, Integral

# Solving
from sympy import solve, solveset, linsolve, nonlinsolve, dsolve

# Matrices
from sympy import Matrix, eye, zeros, ones, diag

# Logic and sets
from sympy import And, Or, Not, Implies, FiniteSet, Interval, Union

# Output
from sympy import latex, pprint, lambdify, init_printing

# Utilities
from sympy import evalf, N, nsimplify

Getting Started Examples

Example 1: Solve Quadratic Equation

from sympy import symbols, solve, sqrt
x = symbols('x')
solution = solve(x**2 - 5*x + 6, x)
# [2, 3]

Example 2: Calculate Derivative

from sympy import symbols, diff, sin
x = symbols('x')
f = sin(x**2)
df_dx = diff(f, x)
# 2*x*cos(x**2)

Example 3: Evaluate Integral

from sympy import symbols, integrate, exp
x = symbols('x')
integral = integrate(x * exp(-x**2), (x, 0, oo))
# 1/2

Example 4: Matrix Eigenvalues

from sympy import Matrix
M = Matrix([[1, 2], [2, 1]])
eigenvals = M.eigenvals()
# {3: 1, -1: 1}

Example 5: Generate Python Function

from sympy import symbols, lambdify
import numpy as np
x = symbols('x')
expr = x**2 + 2*x + 1
f = lambdify(x, expr, 'numpy')
f(np.array([1, 2, 3]))
# array([ 4,  9, 16])

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. "NameError: name 'x' is not defined"

  • Solution: Always define symbols using symbols() before use

2. Unexpected numerical results

  • Issue: Using floating-point numbers like 0.5 instead of Rational(1, 2)
  • Solution: Use Rational() or S() for exact arithmetic

3. Slow performance in loops

  • Issue: Using subs() and evalf() repeatedly
  • Solution: Use lambdify() to create a fast numerical function

4. "Can't solve this equation"

  • Try different solvers: solve, solveset, nsolve (numerical)
  • Check if the equation is solvable algebraically
  • Use numerical methods if no closed-form solution exists

5. Simplification not working as expected

  • Try different simplification functions: simplify, factor, expand, trigsimp
  • Add assumptions to symbols (e.g., positive=True)
  • Use simplify(expr, force=True) for aggressive simplification

Additional Resources

  • Official Documentation: https://docs.sympy.org/
  • Tutorial: https://docs.sympy.org/latest/tutorials/intro-tutorial/index.html
  • API Reference: https://docs.sympy.org/latest/reference/index.html
  • Examples: https://github.com/sympy/sympy/tree/master/examples

Related skills

FAQ

What math domains does the sympy skill cover?

The sympy skill covers SymPy geometry, number theory, combinatorics, logic and sets, statistics, polynomials, and special functions. It guides agents to write Python for exact symbolic algebra and equation solving.

When should I use sympy instead of NumPy?

Use sympy when exact symbolic solutions, algebraic simplification, or geometry proofs are required. NumPy suits large-scale numeric computation; SymPy handles symbolic expressions that remain exact until evaluated.

Is Sympy safe to install?

skills.sh reports 2 of 3 security scanners passed. Review the Security Audits panel on this page before installing in production.

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