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.

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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) About Me  (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?
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-x is a negative number only when x is positive
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The solution could be a negative number or zero.
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Equation:
sqrt(-x) = 3
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Square both sides to get:
-x = 9
x = -9
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Is that a solution? Check it:
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sqrt(-(-9)) = 3
sqrt(9) = 3
That works.
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Cheers,
Stan H.