If a^2=b^2, does a=b? Explain and justify your answer.

Question

Mathematics

Tanya Maynard

14 June, 15:59

If a^2=b^2, does a=b? Explain and justify your answer.

+4

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Jamar Sullivan · Answer 1

not necessarily

Step-by-step explanation:

Taking the square root of both sides, you have ...

±a = ±b

Those four cases resolve to two unique cases:

a = ±b

The given equation will be true if a = b or if a = - b. If a and b are constrained to have the same sign, then a=b is the only solution.