negative number raised to even power

[DrD]

(04-25-2015 11:57 AM)Joe Horn Wrote:  In RPN... but that's because you're negating first, then squaring, which is NOT what -2^2 means. Proof: type -2^2 into the EquationWriter (or inside single quote marks, or in algebraic mode) and evaluate it. You'll get -4,

Well understood, BUT:

The broader point is that MANY other calcs and technological computing devices will assert that -2^2 returns 4 as a result; which is quite contrary to the proof you have shared.

Your "Proof" that a negative number raised to a "non-odd" exponent CAN BE MADE to return a negative numerical result on an hp50g, which otherwise would not, invalidates the MANY other technologies and some textbooks, and (they) are just plain wrong on this point?

Just having fun with this as a discussion item, as I quite agree with {you, the Prime, and Wolfram}; even though my public education may have been incomplete, or my class time compromised at that moment this was etched into my pea-brain.

Parentheses are a good thing!

-Dale-