+ def span_of_powers(self):
+ """
+ Return the vector space spanned by successive powers of
+ this element.
+ """
+ # The dimension of the subalgebra can't be greater than
+ # the big algebra, so just put everything into a list
+ # and let span() get rid of the excess.
+ V = self.vector().parent()
+ return V.span( (self**d).vector() for d in xrange(V.dimension()) )
+
+