- #1
bluskies
- 11
- 0
Homework Statement
If a and b are positive real numbers, and [tex]\lambda^{2} = ab[/tex], then [tex]\lambda = \pm \sqrt{ab}[/tex].
Homework Equations
None.
The Attempt at a Solution
This is more of a conceptual question that has always escaped me. I do not understand how the square root of two positive numbers could possibly be negative. Since a and b are positive, how can there be any negatives in the square root of their product? Any guidance on this subject would be very much appreciated.