Name ________________________________________ Date __________________ Class __________________

LESSON
Solving Radical Equations
11-3
Reteach

To solve square root equations, you will need to raise both sides to the 2nd power.

Example Solve x + 7 − 3 = 9.
Isolate the square root Square both sides. Solve for x. Check for extraneous
on one side. solutions.

( ) x = 144 − 7
2 ?
x +7 −3=9 x+7 = (12 )
2
137 + 7 − 3 = 9
x + 7 = 12 x = 137 ?
x + 7 = 144 144 − 3 = 9
?
12 − 3 = 9
9=9
x = 137 is a solution.

1
Example Solve (3 x − 5) 2 = x − 5.
Square both sides. Simplify and solve by Check for extraneous Check for extraneous
factoring. solutions. solutions.
1 ? 1 ?
2
0 = x 2 − 13 x + 30
⎛ ⎞ ( 3 (10 ) − 5 ) (3 (3) − 5)
1

⎜ (3x − 5) 2 ⎟ = ( x − 5)
2 2= 10 − 5 2=3 − 5
⎝ ⎠ 0 = ( x − 10 )( x − 3 ) 1 ? 1 ?

3 x − 5 = x − 10 x + 25
2
x = 10 or x =3 ( 30 − 5 ) 2 = 5 (9 − 5)2 = − 2
1 ? 1 ?
25 2 = 5 42 = − 2
5=5 2≠ −2
x = 10 is a solution. x = 3 is not a solution.

Simplify each equation. Make sure to check for extraneous solutions.

1. x − 10 + 4 = 7 2. x = 2 x − 1 3. 2 x + 10 = x + 1

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1 1 1
4. 3 = ( x + 6 ) 2 − 1 5. ( x + 8)2 =x+2 6. ( 5 x ) 2 = 3

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Original content Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
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