negative number raised to even power

[PANAMATIK]

(04-26-2015 06:57 PM)Marcus von Cube Wrote:  

(04-26-2015 06:22 PM)TASP Wrote:  2
chs
^
2
chs
y\x


yields 'error'

You are computing (-2)^(-2) (not the original expression!) which is most probably computed as exp(ln(-2)*(-2)). A calculator that only handles real numbers cannot compute ln(-2). Try the x² key instead.

2
chs
^
2
y\x

The original expression (-2)^2 yields 'error' too on HP-21 and HP-25, however HP-29C computes 4.

2 chs ^ 3 y\x shows -8 and works only for integer exponents (-2)*(-2)*(-2)=-8

Bernhard