In Maple, how can I plot the cube root function or get the real cube root of a negative number?
Maple sometimes only gives complex roots, and only plots x^(1/3) for
positive values of x. Maple is general and consistent, so
it sometimes interprets variables as complex numbers. For example,
enter:
The return is:
1 + sqrt(3)*I.
To return real roots from Maple, you must use the function called
surd (i.e., the typographical name of the symbol used to
denote nth roots, which is also sometimes called a radical).
If one exists, surd(x, n) computes the real nth root of
the real-valued expression x. It will also plot for all
values of x (if a real nth root exists). The command
surd(-8,3); will return (-8)^(1/3) . To
produce the expected cube root graph, enter:
For more about statistical and mathematical software, email the UITS Stat/Math Center, visit the center's web page, or phone 812-855-4724 (IUB) or 317-278-4740 (IUPUI). The center is located in Bloomington at 410 N. Park Avenue, and is open for consultation by appointment Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.
Last modified on April 06, 2011.
