2007-12-14 06:09:45 · 4 answers · asked by BIgDiVa C 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
I'm not quite sure what you are asking. Could you clarify? If you mean: "Why does the quadratic formula use ± in it?" Then the answer is because in general, there are two solutions to a quadratic equation. If that's not what you are asking, then please give additional details.
2007-12-14 06:16:09 · answer #1 · answered by Andy J 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Suppose the equation is x^2 -25 = 0.
The most grammatical way to express the solution is to say
" x=5 OR x= -5".
It's impossible for any number x to satisfy the self contradictory condition " x = 5 AND x = -5".
although I have no problem with saying " the solutions are 5 and -5"
2007-12-14 09:56:41 · answer #2 · answered by Michael M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are asking why the answer can sometime be + or - say 5 or the set of {5, -5}
It's because if I ask you what the square root of 25 is you would probably answer 5 however the real answer is {5,-5}that's because 5 x 5 = 25 and -5 x -5 also = 25, so there are two roots for positive real numbers.
2007-12-14 06:20:14 · answer #3 · answered by Elmo 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Dude, what are you saying ? :-|
2007-12-14 06:21:27 · answer #4 · answered by w4c~m3-5un 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋