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   sci.math.symbolic      Symbolic algebra discussion      10,432 messages   

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   Message 10,207 of 10,432   
   Richard Fateman to All   
   Re: is this the correct antiderivative b   
   29 Jan 22 23:32:50   
   
   From: fateman@gmail.com   
      
   > >   
   Maxima 5.45..1 gives ...   
   (%i2)	 integrate(integrand,x);   
   (%o2)	-gamma_incomplete(-1/3,x^3/3)/3^(4/3)   
   (%i3)	diff(%,x);   
   (%o3)	%e^(-x^3/3)/x^2   
      
      
   Interestingly, for the integral, Mathematica gives an expression that includes   
   the subexpression   (x^3) ^ (1/3).  Some people would expect that to be x.   
   Say x=-1, then we have (-1)^(1/3),  which some people would expect to be -1.   
   Mathematica says %//N  is  0.5 + 0.866025 I   
      
   which is indeed another cube root of -1.   
      
   I'm sure one can make an argument for this choice, but does it matter for the   
   integral?   
      
   And shouldn't   Mathematica simplify   (x^3)^(1/3)/x     to   (-1)^(1/3)  ?    
   It doesn't.   
   Just asking :)   
      
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