Question

X to the 2nd power = -169 what is x

Answer 1

Given:

$x^2=-169$

To solve for x, we need to cancel the exponent. To cancel a square, we need to square root both sides.

$\sqrt{x^2}=\sqrt{-169}$

The square root of 169 is 13, but since it is negative, we need to put the imaginary unit, $i$, in front of the answer. ($i=\sqrt{-1}$)

Simplify.

$x=13i$

If you have not learned imaginary numbers or the imaginary unit yet, you could say that $x=\sqrt{-169}$.