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

  • To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
  • Subject: [mg94480] Re: [mg94405] branch of (-1)^(1/3)
  • From: Murray Eisenberg <murray at math.umass.edu>
  • Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:40:05 -0500 (EST)
  • Organization: Mathematics & Statistics, Univ. of Mass./Amherst
  • References: <200812121154.GAA27892@smc.vnet.net>
  • Reply-to: murray at math.umass.edu

Can you say in what sort of context you want -1 to be returned?  After 
all, the result returned from (-1)^(1/3) is just the Input expression 
itself.  And, as taking N of the result shows, the value is, indeed, the 
principal cube-root of -1.

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
> 
> 

-- 
Murray Eisenberg                     murray at math.umass.edu
Mathematics & Statistics Dept.
Lederle Graduate Research Tower      phone 413 549-1020 (H)
University of Massachusetts                413 545-2859 (W)
710 North Pleasant Street            fax   413 545-1801
Amherst, MA 01003-9305


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