Name: Michael M.
Status: student
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
How to solve cube roots?
I know you can solve a cube root of x by raising x to the 1/3 power...
But if you were to break this down into simpler mathematics (For example,
bit and byte calculations on a computer chip) what is ACTUALLY done when
you raise a number to a fractional power?
Replies:
Michael,
A computer does not ACTUALLY raise a number to a fractional power. A
computer system is based on a huge set of approximations that eventually
give a result close enough to the true value to satisfy the users of the
machine. Most computer functions are actually an extremely long set simpler
functions: adding and multiplying. The first approximation may be within
50 percent of the true value. The second approximation may be within 10
percent. Each new approximation is used to find the next one. Eventually,
there is a small enough change from one to another that the value is
accepted.
Taking the cube root of a number, or raising a number to the 1/3 power,
actually is not all that complex. Finding the cube root of 2 is finding
whatever number you can raise to the third power to yield 2. There is no
exact decimal value for it. There is no exact fraction for it. A
calculator or computer can only produce an approximation. Different
computers can use slightly different programs to do it.
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