Question

What types of numbers are undefined when they are under a radical sign? If you were dealing with the number √-1, would it be defined if you multiplied it by 2? Would it be defined if you subtracted some real number from it? Would it be defined if you squared it? Would it be defined if you cubed it?

Answer 1

The square root of a a negative integer is imaginary.
It would still be a negative under a square root if you multiplied it by 2, therefor it will still be imaginary, or I’m assuming as your book calls it, undefined.
2•(sqrt-1) = 2sqrt-1

If you add a number to -1 itself, specifically 1 or greater it will become a positive number or 0 assuming you just add 1. In that case it would be defined.
-1 + 1 = 0
-1 + 2 = 1

If you add a number to the entire thing “sqrt-1” it will not be defined.
(sqrt-1) + 1 = 1+ (sqrt-1)

If you subtract a number it will still have a negative under a square root, meaning it would be undefined.
(sqrt-1) + 1 = 1 + (sqrt-1)

however if you subtract a negative number from -1 itself, you end up getting a positive number or zero. (Subtracting a negative number is adding because the negative signs cancel out).
-1 - -1 = 0
-1 - -2 = 1

If you squared it you would get -1, which is defined
sqrt-1 • sqrt-1 = -1

and if you cubed it, you would get a negative under a square root again, therefor it would be undefined.
sqrt-1 • sqrt-1 • sqrt-1 = -1 • sqrt-1 = -1(sqrt-1)

Sorry if this answer is confusing, I don’t have a scientific keyboard, I’ll get one soon.