Square root of negative number in 2q - 5r

[access]

Homework Statement

is there no square root for a negative number? is there no solution for this?

q=-1 r=2

the square root of 2q - 5r

The Attempt at a Solution

2x-1 - 5x2 = -12

sqaure root of -12?

my calculator doesn't come up with a answer for the square root.

 

[Jack23454]

It has been a while but they use small i for imaginary numbers if my recollection is correct. i means the square root of -1. So for the purpose of following standard format your answer could be 3.46(i)

 

[eumyang]

With the title being "simple algebra," it's possible that the OP has not encountered imaginary numbers yet. In that case, students are usually directed to write "no solution," or "cannot be evaluated" as their answer.

 

[jrjack]

Or perhaps "No Real Solution".