How to formulate the "cube root negative"??

[carlos13]

I have problems in calculating cube roots of negative numbers. For example pow (-27.1 / 3), should give -3, but fails. Any idea why?

[#2 · Accepted solution]

I am not sure about the reason. Since square root would return an imaginary number pow might have restricted the computation.

Alternatively you can try, sign(x)*pow(fabs(x),1/3).

Kiran.

[Anonymous]

What if I would like to return an imaginary number?