document.write( "Question 1207378: Give an example to show that sqrt{a^2} is not equal to a. Use it to explain why sqrt{a^2} = |a|. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #845228 by mccravyedwin(407) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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document.write( "Suppose a = -2\r\n" );
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document.write( "  Not equal!\r\n" );
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document.write( "But   \r\n" );
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document.write( "  Equal!\r\n" );
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document.write( "The definition of absolute value is \r\n" );
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document.write( "When the radical  is used, it is always either positive\r\n" );
document.write( "(or zero, in the case ), but  is never negative!\r\n" );
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document.write( "Although we often say \"SQUARE ROOT OF X\" when we see , we\r\n" );
document.write( "really should say \"NON-NEGATIVE SQUARE ROOT OF X\".\r\n" );
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document.write( "[It's like in geometry, we often say \"line\" when we really should say\r\n" );
document.write( " \"line segment\".]\r\n" );
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document.write( "Edwin

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