why is the solution to $x^2 = 3$ the same as $x = \pm \sqrt 3$ I understand that in order to simplify $x$ in this equation:
$x^2 = 3$ we would need to get the square root  on both sides what i dont understand is the fact that it is written as $x = \pm \sqrt 3$.
I don't understand where the $±$ comes from  , this problem was a part of solving polynomials by factoring and I just want the reasoning behind why it wouldn't simply be $x = \sqrt 3$ but $x = x = \pm \sqrt 3$.
the original equation :
$2x^5+12x^3 -54x = 0$
my solutions :
$x=0 $
$x=\pm \sqrt 3$
$x = \pm 3i$

That's because you can square either $-\sqrt3$ or $\sqrt3$ to get $3$ and the question requires you to find a real/complex number that can be squared to give $3$ as the answer.
