# Complex numbers help

1. ### kay

59
We know that i^3 is -i .
But I am getting confused, because I thought that i can be written as √(-1) and i^3 = √(-1) × √(-1) × √(-1) = √(-1 × -1 × -1) = √( (-1)^2 × -1) = √(1× -1) = √(-1) = i
( and not -i ).
Sorry I couldn't use superscript because I was using my phone.

2. ### micromass

20,050
Staff Emeritus
3. ### dieterk

1
i definitely is not \sqrt{-1}. If you like (abuse of notation)
\sqrt{-1} = \pm i
Using (this not correct notation) \sqrt{-1}^3 = \pm i. Much better is of course
i^3 = (i*i)*i = -1*i = -i

59
5. ### kay

59
I didn't understand anything. :|

6. ### electronicsguy

8

The link given by micromass has everything you need to know and you don't need to know Euler's Formula to understand what he meant. I suggest read (not skim) the link provided by micromass.

1 person likes this.
7. ### HakimPhilo

76
When you got to this point: $$\sqrt{-1}\cdot\sqrt{-1}\cdot\sqrt{-1}=\sqrt{(-1)\cdot(-1)\cdot(-1)},$$ you made a mistake since $\sqrt{a}\sqrt{b}=\sqrt{ab}$ isn't true when $a,b\lt0$.