SOLUTION: There is a plus sign over a minus sign in front of the square root symbol - I do not remember this sign, what does it mean? The problems go from simple - plus/minus square root of

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Question 217924: There is a plus sign over a minus sign in front of the square root symbol - I do not remember this sign, what does it mean? The problems go from simple - plus/minus square root of 25 to asking when to use the symbol. Thank you.
Answer by RAY100(1637) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
think convention
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It is mathematically correct that sqrt 25 = +5 and/ or -5,,,,,(5)^2 =(-5)^2 =25
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current convention is as follows:
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sqrt 25 = 5
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+sqrt 25 = +5
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-sqrt25 = -5
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+/- sqrt 25 = +/- 5,,,,,that is +5 and /or -5
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Teachers have to define just what they want
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