Chapter 1: Problem 9
Simplify the given expressions. In each of \(5-9\) and 12-21, the result is an integer. $$-\sqrt{49}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The simplification of \(-\sqrt{49}\) is -7.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Square Root
The expression given is \(-\sqrt{49}\). First, we need to identify the square root of the number under the radical, which is 49.
02
Calculate the Square Root
Calculate the square root of 49. Since 49 is a perfect square, its square root is 7. Thus, \(\sqrt{49} = 7\).
03
Apply the Negative Sign
The expression has a negative sign in front of the square root. So, we need to multiply the square root result by -1. Therefore, \(-\sqrt{49} = -7\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Square Roots
The concept of square roots revolves around finding a number which, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number under the root. For instance, the square root of 49 is 7, because multiplying 7 by itself results in 49. Square roots are often represented with the radical symbol \(\sqrt{}\). Let's see how to approach square roots in various scenarios:
- **Find the Base Number:** Begin by recognizing that you are trying to determine which number, when squared (multiplied by itself), will give the original number under the symbol.
- **Perfect Squares Simplify to Integers:** If the number under the radical is a perfect square (like 49), the square root will result in an integer. This is the most straightforward scenario.
- **Tip in Calculation:** If a calculator isn't handy, remember that numbers like 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, and 100 are perfect squares, and you can memorize a few of these to speed up calculations.
Negative Numbers
Negative numbers are numbers that are less than zero, typically indicated by a minus sign (-) in front of them. In the context of square roots and expressions, it's crucial to follow these principles to correctly handle negative numbers:
- **Negative Before or Inside the Root?**: Numbers can become negative before or after calculating a square root. If a negative sign is outside the \(\sqrt{}\), it implies the result should be negative like in \(-\sqrt{49} = -7\).
- **Oddities with Negative Inside the Root**: Generally, square roots of negative numbers are not defined in terms of real numbers. For real numbers, the square root value itself is always positive or zero.
- **Conceptual Understanding:** Grasping how negatives impact an expression can help simplify and correctly align terms in broader expressions.
Perfect Squares
Perfect squares are numbers obtained by squaring a whole number. For example, 49 is a perfect square because it is the result of multiplying 7 by itself. Recognizing perfect squares can simplify problems because they directly yield whole number roots.
- **Faster Calculations**: Knowing perfect squares allows for quicker recognition of square roots without relying on calculators.
- **Pattern Recognition**: Familiarity with perfect squares such as 1, 4, 9, 16, etc., aids in quickly resolving values when they appear under radical signs.
- **Simplification**: When simplifying expressions, confirming that numbers are perfect squares can lead to immediate answers. In our example, identifying 49 as a perfect square simplifies \(-\sqrt{49}\) to \(-7\) quickly.