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 geo…
