ok, there's a mis-understanding between a friend and myself. does -i^2 equal +1 or -1?
G Guest Guest Jan 26, 2006 #1 ok, there's a mis-understanding between a friend and myself. does -i^2 equal +1 or -1?
G Gene Senior Member Joined Oct 8, 2003 Messages 1,904 Jan 26, 2006 #2 i=sqrt(-1) so i²=-1 -i²=-(-1)=1
stapel Super Moderator Staff member Joined Feb 4, 2004 Messages 16,583 Jan 26, 2006 #3 Depends what you mean. Are you saying "-(i<sup>2</sup>)" or "(-i)<sup>2</sup>"? That is, are you including the "minus" sign in the squaring, or not? Thank you. Eliz.
Depends what you mean. Are you saying "-(i<sup>2</sup>)" or "(-i)<sup>2</sup>"? That is, are you including the "minus" sign in the squaring, or not? Thank you. Eliz.
T TchrQbic Junior Member Joined Jan 5, 2006 Messages 109 Jan 27, 2006 #4 black0belt0babe7 said: ok, there's a mis-understanding between a friend and myself. does -i^2 equal +1 or -1? Click to expand... As written, with no parentheses, the negative is not affected by the exponent. Thus - 1² = - 1.
black0belt0babe7 said: ok, there's a mis-understanding between a friend and myself. does -i^2 equal +1 or -1? Click to expand... As written, with no parentheses, the negative is not affected by the exponent. Thus - 1² = - 1.
C ChaoticLlama Junior Member Joined Dec 11, 2004 Messages 199 Jan 27, 2006 #5 If you meant to write this \(\displaystyle [- (i)^2]\) Then it is equal too \(\displaystyle - (\sqrt { - 1} )^2 = - ( - 1) = 1\) If you meant to write this \(\displaystyle ( - i)^2\) Then it is equal to \(\displaystyle ( - \sqrt { - 1} )^2 = ( - 1) = - 1\) Please use brackets next time.
If you meant to write this \(\displaystyle [- (i)^2]\) Then it is equal too \(\displaystyle - (\sqrt { - 1} )^2 = - ( - 1) = 1\) If you meant to write this \(\displaystyle ( - i)^2\) Then it is equal to \(\displaystyle ( - \sqrt { - 1} )^2 = ( - 1) = - 1\) Please use brackets next time.