Abs and Sign anomolies
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg7398] Abs and Sign anomolies
- From: Jack Goldberg <jackgold at math.lsa.umich.edu>
- Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 01:20:09 -0400 (EDT)
- Organization: Mathematics Department, University of Michigan
- Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com
Hi group; A while ago hucka at eecs.umich.edu posted a question about a strange result, namely Abs[I*u*Sign[v]] returns Abs[u] on a Unix system using Ver 3. This heart of this anomaly can be traced to the following output of Mma: In[1] Abs[Sign[x]] Out[1] 1 which is wrong if x = 0. For, Sign[0] = 0 and Abs[0] = 0. So that the output of Abs[Sign[x]] should be unsimplified. Indeed, Mma returns Abs[Sign[0]] = 0 Although multiple crashes (hard and soft) and exporting graphics are extremely annoying, a mathematical "bug" is a far more serious problem. A programming error like this can lead to disaster and I urge the newsgroup to post all such anomalies as soon as they are discovered. We cannot assume that contacting Wolfram Research will result in a warning in their FAQ site, nor a timely fix. Wouldn't it be nice if someone (other than Wolfram Research)) could keep track of all mathematical "bugs" much the way one of our people keep track of relative speeds of the kernel on different platforms? The advantages for all of us are so clear that no argument need be given. I would be willing to do this, but - I'm embarrasses to admit - I don't know how to set up a Web page or whatever so that people could access the complilations automatically! If anyone wishes to send me their discoveries I will be happy to confirm them and keep a list. Jack Goldberg University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan e-mail: jackgold at math.lsa.umich.edu