Solve Using the Square Root Property x^2=-5

$x^{2} = - 5$

Step 1

Take the specified root of both sides of the equation to eliminate the exponent on the left side.

$x = \pm \sqrt{- 5}$

Step 2

Simplify $\pm \sqrt{- 5}$ .

Rewrite $- 5$ as $- 1 (5)$ .

$x = \pm \sqrt{- 1 (5)}$

Rewrite $\sqrt{- 1 (5)}$ as $\sqrt{- 1} \cdot \sqrt{5}$ .

$x = \pm \sqrt{- 1} \cdot \sqrt{5}$

Rewrite $\sqrt{- 1}$ as $i$ .

$x = \pm i \sqrt{5}$

Step 3

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

First, use the positive value of the $\pm$ to find the first solution.

$x = i \sqrt{5}$

Next, use the negative value of the $\pm$ to find the second solution.

$x = - i \sqrt{5}$

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

$x = i \sqrt{5}, - i \sqrt{5}$