Question

what does ± mean?

Answer 1

plus or minus

Answer 2

alright thanks

Answer 3

Plus or minus, it is usually used in radicals. For example:

__/± 9 (the square root of nine)

Now matter if I had -3 * -3 or 3 * 3, the product is 9.

Answer 4

So I can say, the root of 9 = ± 3

Answer 5

Also $$\mp$$ means minus or plus :)

Answer 6

square root of 9 is just +3

Answer 7

square roots can never be negative

Answer 8

I was just about to say, "INB4 Hartnn corrects me."

Square roots can be ± , they can be negative, but they are imaginary, and in such a complex, they are said to be unknown, but roots of such should always be plus or minus.

Answer 9

Recall the distributive property a (b ± c) = ab ± ac (a times the quantity b plus or minus c equals a b plus or minus a c). Factoring a binomial is just the reverse of the distributive property. i'm kinda dumb, i don't understand anything in my algebra 1 class for virtual school, i have to finish it up this week coming up, i have just a little left and if i wanna go fishin on monday i gotta do 8 assignments so i'm reviewing factoring of polynomials, in short, don't stop doing virtual school, u will get lost

Answer 10

A root can be negative, too, look at the quadratic equation. As long as the final product isn't negative.

Answer 11

\[\sqrt{\pm -9} = \sqrt{-3 *- 3} = \sqrt{9} = \sqrt{3}\]

Answer 12

i meant, the answer to a square root can never be negative

Answer 13

@Compassionate he's right... it's not the square root of 9 that's negative. It's the plus or minus OUTSIDE that makes it negative.

Answer 14

Well, that'sa whole different story, agent.

Answer 15

Also, I mean positive nine, not negative.

Answer 16

and why are we discussing this :P
whats the question ?

Answer 17

He knows what the symbol means, lets move on and help him with his other questions.; :P

Answer 18

Well it only arises from \[\Large x^2 = 9\]whereas this is not the same thing\[\Large x = \sqrt 9\]

Answer 19

i was just asking what the sign meant lol, i am just reiewing symbols for algebra 1, i need to finish assignments, i will keep posting on here if another question comes up

Answer 20

thanks though guys

Answer 21

ok, post it as a new question though

Answer 22

oh ok thanks for all the help