#574 sqrt((-1)^(1/4) * x)

[Barton Willis]

sqrt(sqrt(-1) * x) is okay
(%i2) sqrt(sqrt(-1)*x);
(%o2) SQRT(%I x)

but sqrt((-1)^(1/4) * x) isn't

(%i3) sqrt((-1)^(1/4)*x);

SIGN called on an imaginary argument:
...

(%i4) build_info();

Maxima version: 5.9.0.1cvs
Maxima build date: 12:16 5/28/2004
host type: i686-pc-mingw32
lisp-implementation-type: Kyoto Common Lisp
lisp-implementation-version: GCL 2.7.0

Barton

[Robert Dodier]

Logged In: YES
user_id=501686

Observed in 5.9.3cvs.

[Dan Gildea]

Logged In: YES
user_id=1797506
Originator: NO

Fixed in simp.lisp rev 1.52.

(%i11) sqrt((-1)^(1/4)*x);
(%o11) sqrt((-1)^(1/4)*x)