Question

How do you solve `-2k ^ { 2} = 40`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(-2)` to isolate `k^2` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(-2k^2)/color(red)(-2) = 40/color(red)(-2)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-2)))k^2)/cancel(color(red)(-2)) = -20`

`k^2 = -20`

Next, we would take the square root of each side of the equation to solve for `k`. However, when dealing with real numbers you cannot take the square root of a negative number. Therefore, in the domain of real numbers there is no solution for this problem or the solution is the empty or null set or `{O/}`