Which best explains why the expression plus or minus StartRoot b squared minus 4 a c EndRoot cannot be rewritten as b plus or minus StartRoot negative 4 a c EndRoot during the next step?

Negative values, like - 4ac, do not have a square root.

The ± symbol prevents the square root from being evaluated.

The square root of terms separated by addition and subtraction cannot be calculated individually.

The entire term b2 - 4ac must be divided by 2a before its square root can be determined.

Question

Mathematics

Randy Sanford

23 November, 20:32

Which best explains why the expression plus or minus StartRoot b squared minus 4 a c EndRoot cannot be rewritten as b plus or minus StartRoot negative 4 a c EndRoot during the next step?

Negative values, like - 4ac, do not have a square root.

The ± symbol prevents the square root from being evaluated.

The square root of terms separated by addition and subtraction cannot be calculated individually.

The entire term b2 - 4ac must be divided by 2a before its square root can be determined.

+5

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Selah Boyle · Answer 1

C) The square root of terms separated by addition and subtraction cannot be calculated individually.

Step-by-step explanation:

sqrt (b² - 4ac) is not equal to

b - sqrt (4ac)

Because when you square b - sqrt (4ac), it's not b² - 4ac ...

(b - sqrt (4ac)) ² = b² - 2bsqrt (4ac) + 4ac