How do you simplify $(-1)^(1/2)$ ?

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Answer 1 · 2016-08-25T13:43:59

$sqrt(-1) = +-i$

We have to use the imaginary unit $i$ . This is defined as the roots of the polynomial

$x^2+1=0$

Giving $x = +-sqrt(-1)$ .

We define $i^2=-1$ so

$x=+-sqrt(i^2) = +-i$

How do you simplify (-1)^(1/2)(-1)^(1/2)?