If x^2 2 < 0, which of the following specifies all the possible

When the GMAT provides the square root sign for an even root, such as \(\sqrt{x}\) or \(\sqrt[4]{x}\), then the only accepted answer is the positive root. That is, \(\sqrt{16}=4\), NOT +4 or -4. Even roots have only a positive value on the GMAT.

In contrast, the equation \(x^2=16\) has TWO solutions, +4 and -4.

Odd roots have the same sign as the base of the root. For example, \(\sqrt[3]{125} =5\) and \(\sqrt[3]{-64} =-4\).

Now, about the problem itself: MUST KNOW: \(\sqrt{x^2}=|x|\):

The point here is that since square root function cannot give negative result then \(\sqrt{some \ expression}\geq{0}\).

So \(\sqrt{x^2}\geq{0}\). But what does \(\sqrt{x^2}\) equal to?

Let's consider following examples:
If \(x=5\) --> \(\sqrt{x^2}=\sqrt{25}=5=x=positive\);
If \(x=-5\) --> \(\sqrt{x^2}=\sqrt{25}=5=-x=positive\).

So we got that:
\(\sqrt{x^2}=x\), if \(x\geq{0}\);
\(\sqrt{x^2}=-x\), if \(x<0\).

What function does exactly the same thing? The absolute value function: \(|x|=x\), if \(x\geq{0}\) and \(|x|=-x\), if \(x<0\). That is why \(\sqrt{x^2}=|x|\).

For example if x = -5, then \(\sqrt{x^2}=\sqrt{25}=5=|-5|=|x|\)