[Tex/LaTex] Why is this \SI{number ^ power}{unit} not allowed

siunitx

Here is an example:

\documentclass{scrartcl}
\usepackage[quotient-mode = fraction]{siunitx}
\begin{document}
  \[\SI{1 / 2500 \pi ^ 2}{\micro \farad}\]
\end{document}

It produces:

siunitx error: "invalid-token-in-number"

Thank you for your help in advance!

Best Answer

The number parser can be disabled using

\SI[parse-numbers=false]{1 / 2500 \pi ^ 2}{\micro \farad}

for this single case or generally with

\sisetup{parse-numbers = false}

As to the 'why' part: the package is focussed on physical quantities, and real measurements cannot delivery \pi^2 or similar as an outcome, only (here)

\SI{3.95e-3}{\micro \farad}

or similar

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