Determine if the given square root evaluates to a real number.
$-\sqrt{-25}$

• A. Real
• B. Not Real
• C. Cannot be determined

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the expression given: \(-\sqrt{-25}\), which means the negative of the square root of negative 25.
2. Recall that the square root of a negative number is not a real number because real numbers squared always give a non-negative result.
3. Understand that \(\sqrt{-25}\) can be rewritten using imaginary numbers as \(\sqrt{-1 \times 25} = \sqrt{-1} \times \sqrt{25}\).
4. Since \(\sqrt{-1}\) is defined as the imaginary unit \(i\), rewrite the expression as \(- (i \times 5)\) or \(-5i\).
5. Conclude that because the expression involves the imaginary unit \(i\), it does not evaluate to a real number.