Re: [Haskell-beginners] Can't square zero as a complex number?

On 07/26/12 17:08, Scott N. Walck wrote:

Hi,

Is there a reason why I can't use ** to square zero as a complex number?

Prelude> :m Data.Complex Prelude Data.Complex> (0:+0) ** 2 NaN :+ NaN Prelude Data.Complex> (0 :: Complex Double) ** 2 NaN :+ NaN

I think that's because (**) allows foating exponents which can't be deterministically applied to a complex base (if I have my maths correct, that is). You can use the (^) which can be applied to any numeric base, but only allows integral exponents. Prelude Data.Complex> (0 :: Complex Double) ^ 2 0.0 :+ 0.0