Re: Sqrt of complex number
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg126647] Re: Sqrt of complex number
- From: Murray Eisenberg <murray at math.umass.edu>
- Date: Mon, 28 May 2012 05:12:23 -0400 (EDT)
- Delivered-to: l-mathgroup@mail-archive0.wolfram.com
- References: <201205270842.EAA17817@smc.vnet.net>
- Reply-to: murray at math.umass.edu
As the documentation says:
Sqrt[z] means z^(1/2)
z^p gives the _principal value_ -- of Exp[p Log[z]].
As with any rational power 1/m, then, you'll need another way to find
other roots. One way:
z /. Solve[z^2 == 3 - 4 I, z]
{-2 + I, 2 - I}
(In some such situations, you'll want to wrap the z/.Solve[...]
expression with ComplexExpand in order to get the Cartesian forms of the
roots.
On 5/27/12 4:42 AM, Jacare Omoplata wrote:
> Hi,
>
> When I try to find the square root of of a complex number, I get only one answer.
>
> In[1]:= Sqrt[3-4 I]
> Out[1]= 2-I
>
> But -2+I is an answer as well.
>
> In[2]:= (-2+I)^2
> Out[2]= 3-4 I
>
> Why does Mathematica give the first answer and not the second? Does it choose the answer with the positive real number? Is there any way I can get both answers? Or do I just have to remember that the negative of the given answer is also an answer?
>
> Thanks.
>
--
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
- References:
- Sqrt of complex number
- From: Jacare Omoplata <walkeystalkey@gmail.com>
- Sqrt of complex number