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The Equation: -2 = (-8)1/3 = (-8)2/6 = [(-8)2]1/6 = 2

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Abstract

In an article in the July 1995 issue of Educational Studies in Mathematics, Even and Tirosh claim that the quantity (-8)1/3 is undefined. We present arguments to show why the reasoning given by them is flawed.

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REFERENCES

  • Dugopolski, M.: 1995, College Algebra, Addison-Wesley Publishing, pp. 28–29.

  • Even, R. and Tirosh, D.: 1995, ‘Subject-matter knowledge and knowledge about students as source of teacher presentations of the subject matter’, Educational Studies in Mathematics (An International Journal), 29, 1–19.

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  • Larson, R. E. and Hostetler, R. P.: 1993, College Algebra, 3rd edition, D. C. Heath, p. 23.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA

    Sudhir K. Goel & Michael S. Robillard

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  1. Sudhir K. Goel
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  2. Michael S. Robillard
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Goel, S.K., Robillard, M.S. The Equation: -2 = (-8)1/3 = (-8)2/6 = [(-8)2]1/6 = 2. Educational Studies in Mathematics 33, 319–320 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002932719513

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002932719513

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