Chapter 12.3, Problem 10E

To determine

To simplify: expression $-\sqrt{-144}$

Answer to Problem 10E

The required answer is: $-12i$

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

The given expression: $-\sqrt{-144}$

Calculation:

  $-\sqrt{-144}=-\sqrt{-1\cdot 16\cdot 9}$

(Product property of square roots)

  $\begin{array}{l}=-\sqrt{-1\cdot 4^2\cdot 3^2}\\ =-4\cdot 3i\\ =-12i\end{array}$

(Simplify)

The square root of -1 is called an imaginary number and is represented by $i$