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Re: can't MATHEMATICA simplify simple expressions?

  • To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
  • Subject: [mg51520] Re: [mg51505] can't MATHEMATICA simplify simple expressions?
  • From: Bob Hanlon <hanlonr at cox.net>
  • Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2004 22:20:27 -0400 (EDT)
  • Reply-to: hanlonr at cox.net
  • Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com

Because

((-2)^2)^(3/2) == (-2)^3

False

Reduce[(a^2)^(3/2) == a^3,  a, Reals]

a >= 0

Consequently, if you restrict a to being non-negative:

Simplify[(a^2)^(3/2), a>=0]

a^3

(a^2)^(3/2) // PowerExpand

a^3


Bob Hanlon

> 
> From: Cole Turner <REMOVEcole.tuner at liwest.at>
To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
> Date: 2004/10/20 Wed AM 01:21:32 EDT
> To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
> Subject: [mg51520] [mg51505] can't MATHEMATICA simplify simple expressions?
> 
> if I enter:
> 
> FullSimplify [ (a^2)^(3/2) ]
> 
> (in correct MATHEMATICA syntax, the program does not yield the correct
> result, a^3 ... 
> 
> why is that?
> 
> thanks!
> -- 
> Johnny: [plugging back in the runway lights] 
>           "Just kidding."
>                    ('Airplane!', 1980)
> 
> 

Bob Hanlon
Chantilly, VA


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