How to simplify #sqrt(-81)#?

3 Answers
Mar 13, 2018

#9i#

Explanation:

You cannot simplify this into a real number, but if you use the imaginary number (#sqrt(-1)#) which is represented using the letter #i# you can simplify it to #sqrt81 * sqrt(-1)# which is the same as #9i#

Mar 13, 2018

This is complex number questions that deals with the imaginary i.

Explanation:

first, lets rewrite it,
#sqrt(-1xx81)#
which then turns into
#sqrt(-1)xxsqrt(81)#
the #sqrt(-1)# is actually the complex number i.
Therefore u can transform it to i which leaves u with
#isqrt(81)#
from there, u simplify the 81 as per normal
so ur answer should be #9i#

Mar 13, 2018

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, rewrite the expression as:

#sqrt(81 * -1)#

Next, use this rule for radicals to simplify the radical:

#sqrt(color(red)(a) * color(blue)(b)) = sqrt(color(red)(a)) * sqrt(color(blue)(b))#

#sqrt(color(red)(81) * color(blue)(-1)) =>#

#sqrt(color(red)(81)) * sqrt(color(blue)(-1)) =>#

#9sqrt(color(blue)(-1))#

The square root of #-1# is also called the imaginary number #i#.

Therefore:

#9sqrt(color(blue)(-1)) =>#

#9i#