document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=187679>Question 187679</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> can someone tell  me how to answer this question? please\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "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?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #140715 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=140715\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> 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?<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "-x is a negative number only when x is positive<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The solution could be a negative number or zero.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Equation:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "sqrt(-x) = 3<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Square both sides to get:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-x = 9<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = -9<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Is that a solution? Check it:<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "sqrt(-(-9)) = 3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "sqrt(9) = 3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "That works.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H.<BR>\n" );
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