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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from a student: x to the second power = -16 what number solves the equation? |
Hi,
If you are looking for a real number solution then there is none since for each real number $x, x^2$ is not negative. If you are working in the complex numbers and $i = \sqrt{-1}$ then you can solve $x^2 = -16$ using the fact that $i^2 = -1.$
Penny
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