[Maxima-bugs] [ maxima-Bugs-2557295 ] -1^k != -1

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Bugs item #2557295, was opened at 2009-02-02 09:32
Message generated for change (Comment added) made by willisbl
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Category: Lisp Core - Simplification
Group: None
Status: Open
Resolution: None
Priority: 5
Private: No
Submitted By: Fletcher Reder (def3ctive)
Assigned to: Nobody/Anonymous (nobody)
Summary: -1^k != -1

Initial Comment:
I've been trying to do alternating series such as sum((1/k)*(-1^(k+1))) but it simplifies to -sum(1/k). This is wrong since -1^k is not always -1. Then i just tried -1^k and it gave me -1 as I suspected. Then I tried -1^2 and it STILL gave me -1. -1^2 = 1! This is distressing to me as Maxima is my favorite CAS, and I want to use it in my class but I can't with this error. It may just be the Windows version that is doing this, I'll check the LINUX version when I get back home.

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>Comment By: Barton Willis (willisbl)
Date: 2009-02-02 15:00

Message:
I think you want (-1)^k, not -1^k.

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You can respond by visiting: 
https://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&atid=104933&aid=2557295&group_id=4933