answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

When a negative number is squared, the negative sign is essentially squared along with the number, resulting in a positive value. However, when taking the square root of a positive number, we are looking for the value that, when squared, gives us the original positive number. Since both a positive and negative number can square to the same positive value, the convention is to consider the principal (positive) square root by default. The negative square root is also a valid solution in many contexts, but for simplicity and consistency, the positive square root is typically chosen.

User Avatar

ProfBot

βˆ™ 3w ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 14y ago

Don't forget that a positive number squared is also positive.

The rule has nothing to do with whether they're positive or negative. The rule is:

When you multiply two numbers together, if their signs are the same then the product is positive.

If their signs are different, then the product is negative.

When you square a number, the two numbers you're multiplying are the same number,

so their signs are always the same, and the product (the square) is always positive.

Going the other way, you start with a positive number that's the product. Since it's positive,

you know that the two numbers that were multiplied to get it have the same sign ... they

could both be positive, or they could both be negative.

The answer to your question is more weird than you expected: The square root of a positive number

is negative. It's also positive. A positive number has two square roots ... the positive one andnegative one.

Now, the square root of a negative number is something more difficult. No number squared can equal a negative except for what is called imaginary numbers, defined by "i". For example, the square root of -1 is i, and the square root of -2 is (√2)*i.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: If a negative number squared is positive why isn't the square root of a positive number negative?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Does negative 3 squared equal negative nine?

No. Negative three squared is POSITIVE nine. The square of ANY number is positive, because if you multiply a negative number by a negative number, the result is positive.


Why does the square root of -25 have no real solution?

Because the square root of -25 would be that number that, squared, would equal -25. No number, positive or negative, can result in a negative square. Since -25 is a negative number, no number, positive or negative, can be squared to equal -25.


What is the product of -10 squared?

100 A square of a negative number is positive.


Can the area of a square be negative?

not in the real world. The area of a square = The length of a side, squared. Any number squared is positive.


Can a negative number be a square?

the square is positive always.Except in the case of an Imaginary number. An imaginary number is a number that gives a negative result when squared,where i= √-1


When you square a negative number is it positive or negative?

The square of a real number is always positive no matter which real number you start with. Therefore, a negative number squared is positive. For example: 2 * 2 = 4, -2 * -2 = 4.


What's -6 negative squared?

Oh, dude, when you square a negative number, it becomes positive, so -6 squared is 36. It's like math trying to play tricks on you, but nah, we got this. So yeah, -6 squared equals 36, simple as that.


How many square roots dose a negative number have?

no,a negative number cannot have a square root .it is made only for positive numbers .but,yes,negative numbers can be squared.


Why is -2 squared - 4?

-6


What number can you square to get the answer -12?

There is no known number that can be squared and produce a negative number since if the number is positive, the result will be positive, and if it's negative the result will still be positive. Accordingly the square roots of negative numbers are normally expressed as a factor of "i" where i is the square root of -1. In that case the square root of -25 is 5i.


Explain why the square root of 64 has a positive and a negative value?

That simply means that there is both a positive and a negative number which, when squared, gives you 64.


Is it possible to find the square root of a negative number explain why or why not?

This is not possible, because any number squared would be positive, not negative.