Final answer:
To specifically obtain the negative root of a number, you place the negative sign directly before the root symbol. For equations and scientific notation, negative exponents and roots follow the rules of signs during multiplication and division, indicating a value less than zero if negative.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you want the negative root of a number, you place the negative sign in front of the root symbol. For instance, the negative root of 16 is written as -√16 and equals -4. In algebra, negative roots are used to solve quadratic equations where the negative root is the solution that falls below the x-axis on a graph. It's important to remember that when multiplying or dividing numbers with signs, certain rules apply. If you multiply or divide two positive numbers or two negative numbers, the result is positive. However, if you multiply or divide two numbers with opposite signs, the result is negative.
For example, (-3) x 2 equals -6, and when dividing, -6 / -3 equals 2, while 6 / -3 equals -2. Similarly, in scientific notation, a negative exponent indicates division by that power of ten. So, 10^-3 would be the same as 1/10^3 or 1/1000. Furthermore, if, for instance, you need a negative power of a number on a calculator, you would use the following steps:
- Enter the base number as a positive.
- Enter the exponent using the calculator's negative sign.
Lastly, the sign of a number is critical for understanding its value in relation to zero, with a negative sign indicating a value less than zero and a positive sign indicating a value more than zero.