New submission from Erik Y. Adams <erikyad...@outlook.com>:
https://docs.python.org/3/library/functions.html#pow The built-in pow() function will return a complex number if the base is negative and the exponent is a float between 0 and 1. For example, the value returned by `pow(-1, 1.0/3)` is `(1.0000000000000002+1.7320508075688772j)` The answer is mathematically correct, but `-2.0` is also mathematically correct. There is nothing in the documentation currently to suggest that a complex number might be returned; in fact, given the statement "[with] mixed operand types, the coercion rules for binary arithmetic operators apply", one might reasonably expect `-2.0` as the answer. I suggest the following sentences be added to the end of the second paragraph: "If `base` is negative and the `exp` is a `float` between 0 and 1, a complex number will be returned. For example, `pow(-8, 1.0/3)` will return `(1.0000000000000002+1.7320508075688772j)`, and not `-2.0.`" ---------- assignee: docs@python components: Documentation messages: 395305 nosy: docs@python, eyadams priority: normal severity: normal status: open title: Documentation for pow() should include the possibility of complex numbers as a return type type: enhancement versions: Python 3.9 _______________________________________ Python tracker <rep...@bugs.python.org> <https://bugs.python.org/issue44344> _______________________________________ _______________________________________________ Python-bugs-list mailing list Unsubscribe: https://mail.python.org/mailman/options/python-bugs-list/archive%40mail-archive.com
