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1

/. can be used to replace variables but how can one replace operators.

For example in a * b, * can be replaced by + or x or / etc. Is there some function to achieve this?

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1  
Answering your deleted comment.try Fu[a_, b_, o_] := Module[{}, Unevaluated[a + b] /. Plus -> o]; Fu[4, 2, Times] – belisarius Apr 7 at 20:16
thanks...this would do. – rafiki Apr 8 at 2:25

3 Answers

up vote 16 down vote accepted

Perhaps use the full names for the operators:

a * b /. Times -> Plus

a + b

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up vote 7 down vote

FullForm prints the expression with no special syntax (e.g. Plus instead of +).

FullForm[a*b]
(* Times[a, b] *)

So you change the expression's head.

Table[fun @@ (a*b),
 {fun, {Plus, Subtract, Divide, Dot, Cross}}]
(* {a + b, a - b, a/b, a.b, a\[Cross]b} *)
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up vote 3 down vote

Just to complement: be careful when your symbols have values already assigned.
Compare: 

a = 2; b = 3; rule = Plus -> Times;

a + b /. rule
ReleaseHold[Hold[a + b] /. rule]
Unevaluated[a + b] /. rule
Defer[a + b] /. rule
(*
 5
 6
 6
 a b
*)
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c = Defer[a + b]; How come c + 3 doesn't return 8? – BoLe Apr 7 at 17:09
@BoLe: execute c + 3 // FullForm and see. – J. M.♦ Apr 7 at 17:16

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