document.write( "Question 122661: Using the form of x^2=k for an equation. Is the solution always going to be real numbers? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #90057 by jim_thompson5910(35256) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If $\"k%3C0\"$ then the solution will not be a real number. To see why, let's solve for x:\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E2=k\"$ Start with the given equation\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " $\"x=0%2B-sqrt%28k%29\"$ Take the square root of both sides\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So if $\"k%3C0\"$ , then we won't have a real answer (remember you cannot take the square root of a negative number). So the answer will be an complex number. \n" ); document.write( "

\n" );