Seemingly Simple Algebra (Exponent Rules)

[janac]

I understand that

a^(b/c)

=

\sqrt[c]{}(a^b)

so this suggests that
(-1)^(2/3)

\sqrt[3]{}((-1)^2) = -1 right?

Wolfram alpha and my calculator disagree.

 

[micromass]

Please read this thread: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=560246

 

[chiro]

Hey januc and welcome to the forums

Convert things to the exponential form if you want to do stuff like this. Exponential form is e^(i x theta) = cos(theta) + i x sin(theta)