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Re: branch of (-1)^(1/3)

  • To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
  • Subject: [mg94490] Re: [mg94405] branch of (-1)^(1/3)
  • From: Carl Woll <carlw at wolfram.com>
  • Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:41:58 -0500 (EST)
  • References: <200812121154.GAA27892@smc.vnet.net>

slawek wrote:

>Is a simple way to choose the branch of (-1)^(1/3) ?
>
>Mathematica gives a (correct) non-real answer. It is ok, but I need the (-1) 
>as the output when I input (1)^(1/3)  because I know that it is a solution 
>of real-valued problem.
>
>Is any "standard way" to pick up a correct (i.e. arbitrary) root of 
>(-1)^(1/n) instead the default?
>
>slawek
>
>  
>
I assume you mean a simple way to choose the branch of a^(1/3), where a 
is real. If so, you can use:

Root[#^3-a&, 1]

Carl Woll
Wolfram Research


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