SOLUTION: can someone tell me how to answer this question? please A student claims that the equation -x = 3 has no solution, since the square root of a negative number does not exist.

Question 187679: can someone tell me how to answer this question? please
A student claims that the equation -x = 3 has no solution, since the square root of a negative number does not exist. Why is this argument wrong?

Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A student claims that the equation sart(-x) = 3 has no solution, since the square root of a negative number does not exist. Why is this argument wrong?
---------------
-x is a negative number only when x is positive
------
The solution could be a negative number or zero.
----------
Equation:
sqrt(-x) = 3
---
Square both sides to get:
-x = 9
x = -9
-------------
Is that a solution? Check it:
---
sqrt(-(-9)) = 3
sqrt(9) = 3
That works.
====================
Cheers,
Stan H.

RELATED QUESTIONS
A Student claims that the equations sq -x =3 has no solution since the square root of a... (answered by gonzo)

A student claims that the equation the !-x = 3 (square root of) has no solution, since... (answered by richwmiller)

I was given this problem to solve: f(x) = 12/7 Evaluate for f(6). I cannot see how... (answered by richwmiller)

Hello, I just want to doublecheck my answers if someone can help me. Solve the... (answered by jim_thompson5910,Alan3354,edjones)

could someone please tell me the answer to this question? a parabola that opens to the (answered by Theo)

Hello, Not sure how to find the solution to this: The number 297 is 24 3/4% of which... (answered by josgarithmetic)

3x+4y=-4 x-2y=2 Determine whether the system has no solution, infinite or one... (answered by htmentor)

Tell me how can i answer this dont tell me the answer but please explain it to me: Joey... (answered by Theo)

i have absolutely no idea what this means. can someone please help me with this... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)