Question

solve for s.
$s^2 = 49$
$s = \square$ or $\square$

Explanation:

Step1: Take square root of both sides

To solve for \( s \) when \( s^2 = 49 \), we take the square root of both sides. The square root of a number \( x^2 \) is \( \pm x \) because both \( x \) and \( -x \) squared give \( x^2 \). So, we have \( \sqrt{s^2}=\pm\sqrt{49} \).

Step2: Simplify the square roots

Simplifying \( \sqrt{s^2} \) gives \( |s| \), but since we are solving for \( s \) in the equation \( s^2 = 49 \), we can also directly say that \( s=\pm\sqrt{49} \). And \( \sqrt{49} = 7 \), so \( s = 7 \) or \( s=-7 \).

Answer:

\( 7 \) or \( -7 \)