Re: complex numbers

Dear jem:

"jem" <xxx@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:FVere.91014$sy6.84187@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> The TimeLord wrote:
....
>> You can see that unless you keep straight just what
>> the square root is defined to be,
>
> Sqrt() is defined to be a function so e.g. Sqrt(1) = 1,
> not +-1, and of course i^2 = -1, not +-1.

sqrt() may be defined by programming languages to be "the
positive square root", allowing the programmer to assign whatever
sign(s) the programmer chooses. But the result of the square
root is bivalued (except for sqrt(0) ). sqrt(-1) is the
conundrum, i^2 is the solution. And note that +/-i *is* a
solution, and valid result.

David A. Smith


.

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