3/19 I read the link someone posted about Wolfram vs. Kahan. So maybe I'm
ignorant, but it seems to assert that (1/r)^x r^x, for arbitrary r, is
not 1. So, why not? Is it because of r=0?
\_ yes.
\_ KAHAN WINS! GENGHISALITY!
\_ Fractional powers can't be defined in a single continuous way for
the whole complex plane. You can define a principal value, but
it screws up equations like the above. E.G. r=-1, x=.5
(-1)^.5 * (-1)^.5 = i * i = -1 != 1
\_ Partha, would you please write an article describing W-vs-K?
\- "go ask william what the wolfram said" ... talking to kahan
is pretty much a guaranteed interesting experience. --psb
\_ Some of us are do not live in berkeley anymore ....
\_ And that was definitely the most exciting part of the entire 20th
century!! Yes, indeedy! |