Last updated on May 26th, 2025
If a number is multiplied by the same number, the result is a square. The inverse of the square is a square root. The square root is used in various fields, including engineering and physics. Here, we will discuss the square root of -68.
The square root is the inverse of the square of a number. Since -68 is a negative number, it does not have a real number as its square root. Instead, the square root of -68 is expressed in terms of imaginary numbers. The square root of -68 is expressed as √-68 = √(68) × √(-1) = 8.2462i, where i is the imaginary unit, defined as √(-1).
For negative numbers, the square root involves imaginary numbers. The square root of a negative number can be found by separating it into the square root of its positive counterpart and the imaginary unit. Here are the steps to find the square root of -68:
The prime factorization method is not directly applicable to negative numbers, but it can be used for the positive counterpart of -68. Here is how you can find the prime factors of 68:
Step 1: Find the prime factors of 68.
Breaking it down, we get 2 × 2 × 17 = 2² × 17.
Step 2: Express the square root in terms of prime factors: √68 = √(2² × 17) = 2√17.
Since -68 is negative, the square root will involve the imaginary unit: √-68 = 2√17i.
The long division method is not applicable for negative numbers when finding their square roots. Instead, we use the long division method for the positive counterpart, 68, and then include the imaginary unit.
The approximation method can be used to estimate the square root of the positive part of -68.
Step 1: Identify two perfect squares between which 68 lies. The perfect squares are 64 (8²) and 81 (9²).
Step 2: Estimate √68 using these bounds. √68 is approximately 8.2462.
Step 3: Combine with the imaginary unit to find √-68: √-68 = 8.2462i.
Students often make mistakes while finding the square root of negative numbers, such as disregarding the imaginary unit or improperly handling negative signs. Here are common mistakes and their solutions:
Can you find the expression for the area of a square if its side length is √-68 units?
The area is -68 square units.
The area of a square = side².
Given the side length as √-68, the area = (√-68)² = -68.
Since we deal with imaginary numbers, the area is represented as -68 square units in the context of complex numbers.
A square is designed with an imaginary side of √-68 units. Calculate the perimeter.
The perimeter is 32.9848i units.
Perimeter of a square = 4 × side. Here, side = √-68 = 8.2462i.
Therefore, the perimeter = 4 × 8.2462i = 32.9848i units.
Multiply √-68 by 3.
The result is 24.7386i.
First, find √-68 = 8.2462i.
Then multiply: 8.2462i × 3 = 24.7386i.
What is the square of √-68?
The square is -68.
The square of √-68 is (√-68)².
Since √-68 = 8.2462i, then (8.2462i)² = -68.
If a rectangle has a length of √-68 units and a width of 4 units, what is the area?
The area is -32.9848 square units.
Area of a rectangle = length × width.
Length = √-68 = 8.2462i, width = 4.
Area = 8.2462i × 4 = 32.9848i, expressed as -32.9848 in terms of complex numbers.
Jaskaran Singh Saluja is a math wizard with nearly three years of experience as a math teacher. His expertise is in algebra, so he can make algebra classes interesting by turning tricky equations into simple puzzles.
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