# inconsistent notation on powers of trig functions.

MikeMay shared this idea 8 years ago

As I am producing applets for students to use, it would be nice if GeoGebra accepted

the notation it uses.

If I am trying to use the function

f(x)=(sin(x))^2

GeoGebra writes it as

f(x)=sin^2(x)

but gives an error if that is typed in.

It expects

f(x)=sin(x)^2

If the exponent is fractional or negative, sin(x)^b is used for both input and output. 1

Mike, I do not believe there is an inconsistency...This is essentially a problem with conventions set up by most mathematicians writing in the world...I have had to have this conversation with my students several times; mathematicians write the square, cube, and integer values between the function and the argument and everything else the other way...If you insist on the same notation for all you will need to write the form using formula text enhancement...

Sometimes, math makes little since on some parts...

Tony 1

Tony,

I think you misunderstood where my complaint/request.

My problem is not that we use different conventions for (sin(x))^2 and (sin(x))^(-1), because we don't want to

collide with a notation for arcsine(x).

My problem is that if the user tries to type back the function as GeoGebra presents it, then GeoGebra calls it an error.

(From my post, the part about (sin(x))^2 was the comment on inconsistent behavior.

The part about negative or fractional exponents was to not the behavior problem only shows up in some cases

Mike 1

You can type exactly the notation GeoGebra uses :)

sin²(x) 1

Mike, if you type: sin^2(x) you get an error...GG wants to create a slider for 'sin'...

However, try typing: sin²(x) or sin⁻¹(x) using the <alt><2> or <alt><-><alt><1> for the exponent, it works (at least on the desktop)

I guess I do not truly understand your complaint...I get sin(x)^2 and sin(x)² to both write sin²(x)...sin(x)⁻¹ give the csc(x)

If I use sin²(x) by using <alt><2>, but instead of 2 I use -1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5... the value appears between the sin and the (x) and the graph occurs...fractions and decimals cannot appear their...

Tony
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