How does one expand a `fix` function just one step? - recursion

Question

I have defined a recursive function with fix, and now I want to prove a rewriting equation about it.
The function in question is a bit big, but here is another function that has the same problem.
(Here is an interactive collacoq with it: https://x80.org/collacoq/aweboxoxuy.coq)
Require Import Wf_nat PeanoNat.
Definition test (n: nat): nat.
refine (
let test :=
fix test n (H: Acc lt n) {struct H} :=
if Nat.eq_dec 0 n
then n
else n + test (n-1) _
in
test n (Wf_nat.lt_wf n)).
apply H; auto with arith.
Defined.
(* a unit test to see it works as intended. *)
Check eq_refl (test 4 = 4 + test 3).
I want to prove the following goal
Goal forall n, test (S n) = S n + test n.
Proof.
induction n.
reflexivity.
unfold test.
but when I start working on it, I get a proof term with fix test
Now I just want to unfold this once, but cbv delta evaluates too much.
How can I reduce the fix function definition just once?
Here is the proof obligation
n: nat
IHn: test (S n) = test n + S n
1/1
(fix test (n0 : nat) (H : Acc lt n0) {struct H} : nat :=
match Nat.eq_dec 0 n0 with
| left _ => n0
| right H0 =>
n0 +
test (n0 - 1)
(match H with
| Acc_intro _ H1 => H1
end (n0 - 1)
(Nat.sub_lt n0 1
(Arith_prebase.gt_le_S_stt 0 n0
(Arith_prebase.neq_0_lt_stt n0 H0))
(le_n 1)))
end) (S (S n)) (lt_wf (S (S n))) =
(fix test (n0 : nat) (H : Acc lt n0) {struct H} : nat :=
match Nat.eq_dec 0 n0 with
| left _ => n0
| right H0 =>
n0 +
test (n0 - 1)
(match H with
| Acc_intro _ H1 => H1
end (n0 - 1)
(Nat.sub_lt n0 1
(Arith_prebase.gt_le_S_stt 0 n0
(Arith_prebase.neq_0_lt_stt n0 H0))
(le_n 1)))
end) (S n) (lt_wf (S n)) + S (S n)

Answer 1

Working with function defined by well-foundness is always tricky. One reason is that you are often drown under big terms.
The main problem of your proof is (because of your induction) you are creating (S (S n)) so your function reduces too much by simplification!
As a matter of fact you don't need to prove your lemma by induction.
Let us try to convey some intuition. Your definition looks like.
test n = f n (lt_wf n)
so your function is defined by accessibility with the proof (lt_wf n). What you actually need to prove is that f does not depend on the actual proof.
Lemma f_eq : forall n H1 H2, f n H1 = f n H2.
and you will be able to perform simplification.
Here is a proof of your Lemma
Goal forall n, test (S n) = S n + test n.
Proof.
intros n.
apply f_equal2 with (f := Nat.add); [trivial |].
set (f := ((fix test (k : _) (H : Acc lt k) {struct H} : _ := _))).
set (H := (_ : Acc _ (S n - 1))).
assert (f_eq : forall n H1 H2, f n H1 = f n H2).
- intros n1.
induction n1.
+ intros H1 H2.
dependent inversion H1; dependent inversion H2; simpl; auto.
+ intros H1 H2.
dependent inversion H1; dependent inversion H2.
apply f_equal2 with (f := Nat.add).
* trivial.
* destruct n1; apply IHn1.
- destruct n; apply f_eq.
Qed.