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Why can't there be a negative root for a radical function?

 
 
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Why can't there be a negative root for a radical function?
by Zeyin Wu - Sunday, 22 August 2021, 4:28 PM
 
This topic is referring to Math Challenge II-A Algebra Lecture 7 Radical Equations. Why can't we also assume that there is a negative solution for a square root when the equation has two distinct real roots? e.g. if the square root of x's absolute value is 3, then why can't the equivalent of the square root of x be negative three? My description might be inaccurate since I can't give the best case I can, but it's just that I'm confounded that sometimes we only solve x for a positive solution. Why is it?
 
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Re: Why can't there be a negative root for a radical function?
by Areteem Professor - Sunday, 22 August 2021, 11:34 PM
 

This is a very good question.  We need to be very clear about the meanings of the definition of square roots and the notation we use for them.

Each positive number $a$ has two square roots, one positive and one negative.  The number $0$ has only one square root, of course, which is $0$.  When we write the notation $\sqrt{a}$, it represents the nonegative one.  So the square roots of positive number $a$ are $\sqrt{a}$ and $-\sqrt{a}$.  This way, there is no confusion for the expression.

Therefore, whenever you see the expression such as $\sqrt{x^2-3x+2}$, it means the nonnegative square root of $x^2-3x+2$.  It is the same with radicals with even index, such as $\sqrt[4]{m+1}$ and $\sqrt[20]{y^3-3}$: it is required that the value underneath the radical is nonnegative, and the result is also nonnegative.  So $\sqrt[4]{16}=2$, and $\sqrt[6]{-64}$ is undefined in real numbers. For radicals with odd index, there is no such restriction: $\sqrt[3]{-8}=-2$.


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Re: Why can't there be a negative root for a radical function?
by Zeyin Wu - Monday, 23 August 2021, 9:10 AM
 

Thanks a lot for the clear explanation! Sorry for pestering with one following question, referring to this line of reply:  So $\sqrt[4]{16}=2$164=2, and $\sqrt[6]{-64}$, though, undefined in real numbers? 2 to the fourth power is 16, and so does -2, which looks mathematically plausible. I do understand that there is no solution for $\sqrt[6]{-64}$ as its index is not an odd number, but so does the former one.

Again, thanks a lot for the quick reply! Areteem courses are gearing me up for the upcoming AMC 10 Exam. Thanks to Instructor John and David for the fantastic tuition

(Edited by Areteem Professor - original submission Monday, August 23, 2021, 5:51 AM)

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Re: Why can't there be a negative root for a radical function?
by Areteem Professor - Monday, 23 August 2021, 9:09 AM
 

Sorry I didn't make it clear: "$\sqrt[4]{16}=2$" means "$\sqrt[4]{16}$" is well defined and is equal to $2$ (the positive value of the 4th roots).  It was not intended to be combined with "$\sqrt[6]{-64}$ is undefined in real numbers" .

(fixed the mathematical expressions in the question)

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回复: Re: Why can't there be a negative root for a radical function?
by Zeyin Wu - Monday, 23 August 2021, 8:18 PM
 

Thanks a lot! I got it.

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回复: Re: Why can't there be a negative root for a radical function?
by Zeyin Wu - Monday, 23 August 2021, 8:18 PM
 

Thanks a lot! I got it.