Powers and roots in rational quaternion algebras (Q998239)

Let \(H=H(\alpha,\beta)\) be a real quaternion algebra. The author establishes a formula for the powers of a quaternion \(q\) and uses this to get results on the solutions of the equation \(x^n=q\). He shows that the number of solutions is either \(\leq 4\) or \(n\) or \(\infty\). Special emphasis is put on rational quaternions. For example, it is shown that there is at most one solution if \(q\not=0\) and \(n\equiv\pm 1\bmod 6\).