Math conundrum

Goody · May 11, 2012

Most of us like mathematical problems.

What is the answer to this:

A mathematician finishes a large meal and says: √(-1/64)

nic00 · May 11, 2012

L D[AR2P#0.0] · May 11, 2012

Goody said:
Most of us like mathematical problems.

What is the answer to this:

A mathematician finishes a large meal and says: √(-1/64)

He tried to say exactly the same thing about the electrical engineer who ate with him, but it wouldn't come out the same.

metwally.mustafa · May 11, 2012

this value equal : J /8 or (1/8) J
where J is the imaginary number

Oakley · May 11, 2012

tim2 · May 11, 2012

i over 8

Oakley · May 11, 2012

I swear I had the "/" in the answer - must have hit shift key

i/8

tim2 · May 11, 2012

You can have the credit. Honestly, I wouldn't have got it if your answer hadn't been there. It was way too early for me and imaginary numbers.

Calistodwt · May 15, 2012

The obvious answer is either j/8 or i/8 depending upon which letter you use to represent complex numbers. Unless of course this is a trick question.

uptown47 · May 15, 2012

Can someone show the working out for this?

It's way beyond my maths level but would be interested in learning how (and where) the 'i' pops up.

Helliana · May 15, 2012

uptown47 said:
Can someone show the working out for this?

It's way beyond my maths level but would be interested in learning how (and where) the 'i' pops up.

Its actually VERY easy to work.

To take the square root of a fraction, you just take the root of the top and the bottom.

sqrt(-1) = i (or if you are an Electrical Engineer its j since i is used for current). That is just a rule you have to remember.

sqrt(64) = 8.

Therefore: sqrt(-1/64) = i / 8.

uptown47 · May 15, 2012

Helliana,

Many thanks for the info. I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me.

It makes perfect sense now!

Much appreciated!

Cheers

;-)

Jeebs · May 15, 2012

√-1 = i

Or that's what I remember from my math classes over a decade ago.

Edit: Sniped, dam net going wonky....

jvjr · May 15, 2012

Don't forget in actuality no negative number can have a real square root.

chavak · May 15, 2012

I ate

Math conundrum

Goody

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L D[AR2P#0.0]

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metwally.mustafa

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Oakley

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tim2

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Oakley

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uptown47

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