On Fri, 6 Jun 1997, you wrote:

> >Please explain -- in normal complex mathematics 1/i = -i.
>
> If i=sqrt(-1) then i^2=-1 so by substitution,

Sorry to be a purist here, but the square root is not defined on negative
numbers. Although the complex number i has the property i^2 = -1, that
does not implicate that i = sqrt(-1). Even if this were a valid
expression at all, i = -sqrt(-1) would have been an equally valid
implication. At that point, i = -i would be a valid conclusion.. and 1 =
0 also.

Cheers,

Joost