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Hi Walter,
not to worry, the Math packages know their job.
-3^2 is universally defined (at least on this planet <g>) to mean
-(3^2), which is
-9. The reason for this is that exponentiation has higher precedence than
the unary minus sign. If we want to change precedence, we have to use
parentheses, like so:
The square of -3 is given by
(-3)^2, which yields 9.
If Excel thinks otherwise, that software needs some remedial math classes.
Best regards,
Michael Suesserott
> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: owner-metastock@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:owner-metastock@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]Im Auftrag von W Lake
> Gesendet: Thursday, September 20, 2001 05:08
> An: metastock@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Betreff: Exponents and negative numbers
>
>
> I have checked Mathematica, MathCAD and Derive. All three say
> that -2^2 = -4, that -2^4 = -16 and that all of the data points from any
> series, say out to -2^64 are on a negative power curve.
>
> There is no mention of using brackets or any special "input" techniques to
> handle negative numbers.
>
> Attached is an explanation of why -3^2 = -9 from a web site. If the
> explanation is correct, then Excel (-2^2 = 4) is wrong and I need
> to rethink
> my usage.
>
> Can anyone add to or refute the logic given in the emails below.
>
> Walter2
>
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