# Peculiarities about Finding Absolute Values

It is known that the formula $\sqrt{x^2}$ is equal to the value of $|x|$. In my spare time last night, I wondered about $\sqrt[3]{x^3}$. After some thought and some graphing, I came up with this:

If $x<0$, $\Im(\sqrt[3]{x^3})$

If $x=0$, $0$

If $x>0$, $\Re(\sqrt[3]{x^3})$

This system is equal to $|x|$.

Why is this?

-
This isn't equal to $|x|$. $\sqrt[3]{x^3} = x$ for every $x \in \mathbb{R}$. Its imaginary part is $0$ for every real $x$. –  Dan Shved Oct 28 '13 at 14:28

But you're wrong: For $x\in \mathbb R$, $$\sqrt[3]{x^3} = x$$ plain and simple.

Take a simple example: $$\sqrt[3]{(-1)^3} = -1 \neq |-1| = 1$$

-
Oops. This is what happens to late night breakthroughs. –  fr00ty_l00ps Oct 28 '13 at 14:31
I know the feeling! ;-) –  amWhy Oct 28 '13 at 14:34
Who doesn't, @amWhy ? +1 –  DonAntonio Oct 28 '13 at 14:34
@DonAntonio ;) Your comments always make my day! –  amWhy Oct 28 '13 at 14:36
@amWhy: Clear --->> +1 –  Amzoti Oct 29 '13 at 1:34

$\sqrt[3]{x^3}$ is not equal to $|x|$. For this, consider the following examples:

• if $x=\color{red}{+}2$ then $x^3=(\color{red}{+}2)^3=\color{red}{+}8$.

• if $x=\color{red}{-}2$ then $x^3=(\color{red}{-}2)^3=\color{red}{-}8$.

So $$\sqrt[3]{\color{red}{+}8}=\color{red}{+}2$$ but $$\sqrt[3]{\color{red}{-}8}=\color{red}{-}2$$ We have these facts while $(\pm2)^2=4$ and so $\sqrt{4}$ is just $+2$ because $\sqrt{...}$ cannot accept any negative number inside when working with reals.

-
Nice, sharp and short. +1 –  DonAntonio Oct 28 '13 at 14:34
@DonAntonio: Thanks Sir Don Antonio. ;-) –  Babak S. Oct 28 '13 at 14:39
I agree with Sir Don Antonio! +1 –  amWhy Oct 29 '13 at 1:13

Under standard conventions, $\sqrt[3]{x}=x$ for all real $x$, which you can easily show. It gets much trickier if you're working in complex numbers.

-