Question

How do you solve `m^2+a+-16=0`?

Answer 1

`m=+-sqrt(-16-a)` (two solutions if `a<=-16`; none otherwise)
or
`m=+-sqrt(16-a)` (two solutions if `a<16`; none otherwise)

Explanation:

`m^2+a+-16=0`

`rarr m^2= +-16-a`

`rarr m=+-sqrt(+-16-a)`