Math.pow with negative numbers and non-integer powers

Question

The ECMAScript specification for Math.pow has the following peculiar rule:

• If x < 0 and x is finite and y is finite and y is n

Answer 1

You can use a helper function.

In swift I faced a similar situation. Here is a proposed solution for you:

function checkSquareRoot(x, y) {
    if (x > 0) {
        return Math.pow(x, y)
    }
    return -1 * Math.pow(-x, y)
}

Answer 2

I assume because those circumstances lead the result into complex waters, and ECMAScript is not equipped with imaginary numbers. Specifically, your example should result in something close to 1 + 1.732i, among other results. (The fact that -2 is also a possible result is besides the point - it is an accident rather than a rule.)