Speaking of interpretation. radcan(sqrt(y^2-2*y+1)) is using sqrt(x^2)=x so
you get y-1. Well, why not 1-y instead as your example below points out?
radcan(sqrt(y^2-2*y+1));
-> y-1
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Fateman
Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2010 5:54 PM
To: Richard Hennessy
Cc: Maxima - list
Subject: Re: [Maxima] caps complex tests
On 11/14/2010 2:42 PM, Richard Hennessy wrote:
> I guess, under the interpretation that sqrt(x^2) = x then this answer is
> right.
>
Well, if sqrt(x^2)=x, then how do you feel about
sqrt( (1-y)^2) = 1-y ?
and
sqrt((y-1)^2) = y-1 ?
Of course, (1-y)^2 = (y-1)^2, so the sqrt() could be either of
those two things, or a third, which is abs(1-y) which chooses half of
one answer and half of the other.
RJf