SOLUTION: I am disturbed by what I've been reading on websites that avow -1^2 = -1. This is completely absurd to me, as I would have sworn that a number's sign always travels with it when be

Algebra ->  Signed-numbers -> SOLUTION: I am disturbed by what I've been reading on websites that avow -1^2 = -1. This is completely absurd to me, as I would have sworn that a number's sign always travels with it when be      Log On


   

Question 1029972: I am disturbed by what I've been reading on websites that avow -1^2 = -1. This is completely absurd to me, as I would have sworn that a number's sign always travels with it when being raised with an exponent. Now, I have a BS in Engineering, and I've been a Computer Engineer for over 25 years and I can tell you that when it comes to computers, a number's sign ALWAYS travels with it, and any operation that is done acts on both that number and its sign.
This may be the only time I've ever encountered a situation where a computer calculation deviates from a mathematical principle. Try the calculation on any calculator, spreadsheet, or computer program and it will yield a different result than what I'm reading on your website (and other 'algebra' websites).
Is this a shortcoming in computer technology?
Furthermore, can you tell me where a "sign" (positive or negative) fits into the order of operator precedence? Because up until tonight, I always thought it occurred FIRST. Parentheses->Exponents->Multiplication->Division->Addition->Subtraction. According to 'modern algebra' am I to assume that it resides between Exponents and Multiplication now?
Thank you!
Darin
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Depends on what is meant by . To me, such an expression is ambiguous and could mean either which would, indeed, be equal to , or it could mean which is equal to .

Now if you have an expression such as , that is typically construed to mean and is always for all real numbers . I surmise that the website you saw that made the assertion was using the notation convention.

Please share the website url where you saw

John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it