Question

please help! will give medal!!
Solve the following equation algebraically: -16=16x^2
How many solutions does this equation have? Explain.

Answer 1

This has two imaginary solutions.

If I add 16 to both sides, I will have 0 = 16x^2 + 16.

I can divide by 16 to get 0 = x^2 + 1. You should know picture a parabola shifted up 1 unit.

Does it cross the x-axis? It can't! So it has no real solution.

Answer 2

You could immediately divide by 16 and get -1 = x^2.

Can you find a number that when you square it, i.e. multiply it by itself, yields a -1?

sqrt(-1) is defined to be the imaginary number, i.

Answer 3

Thanks!! ♥