SOLUTION: Please help with the following: If g(x) = x ^2 - 3x, find what the square root of (g(-1) ) is. I started with: the square root of g times -1 = the square root of 1^2 - 3 t

Algebra ->  Functions -> SOLUTION: Please help with the following: If g(x) = x ^2 - 3x, find what the square root of (g(-1) ) is. I started with: the square root of g times -1 = the square root of 1^2 - 3 t      Log On


   

Question 16693: Please help with the following:
If g(x) = x ^2 - 3x, find what the square root of (g(-1) ) is.
I started with:
the square root of g times -1 = the square root of 1^2 - 3 times the square root of -1
the square root of g times -1 = 1- 3, times the square root of -1
the square root of g times -1 = -2, times the square root of -1
the teacher's answer is 2 and I'm not sure how he got it and if it would be
"the square root of g times -1" = 2.
Please help!
Answer by bam878s(77) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First of all you're interpreting the problem wrong. g(-1) doesn't mean g * -1. g is a function so it depends on certain parameter x. We know g(x) = x%5E2+-+3x so to find g (-1) you simply put the value of x = -1 into the equation.
%28-1%29%5E2+-+3%28-1%29 = 1 + 3 = 4.
Now you need to find sqrt%28g%28-1%29%29} which is simply sqrt%284%29 = 2.
Hope this helps.