?!?!?!?
(-1)^{1.1}

I was doing this calculation in my calculator, thinking that it would output an answer like many others. But for some reason, I am getting an error. Can someone explain why?

Question

?!?!?!?
(-1)^{1.1}

I was doing this calculation in my calculator, thinking that it would output an answer like many others. But for some reason, I am getting an error. Can someone explain why?

anonymous · Answer

You are asking the calculator to do:$$(-1)^{1.1}=(-1)^{\frac{11}{10}}$$The 10th root of -1 is a complex number, which is why your calculator is returning an error.

anonymous · Answer

Got it. Thanks.