Can You Solve This Complex Radical Equation?

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In summary, POTW #425 is a problem of the week that challenges students to solve an equation with three radicals. This skill is important in science as it allows for the understanding and prediction of natural phenomena. Strategies for solving such equations include simplifying radicals and using algebraic principles, while common mistakes to avoid include forgetting to check for extraneous solutions and incorrectly distributing exponents. In real life, solving equations with three radicals can be applied in various fields such as calculating half-life, population growth rates, and in engineering and design.
  • #1
anemone
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Solve the equation $\dfrac{7}{\sqrt{x^2-10x+26}+\sqrt{x^2-10x+29}+\sqrt{x^2-10x+41}}=x^4-9x^3+16x^2+15x+26$

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  • #2
Congratulations to Opalg (Cool) for his correct solution, which you can find below:

Solution from Opalg:
Since $x^2-10x + 26 = (x-5)^2 + 1$, $x^2-10x + 29 = (x-5)^2 + 4$ and $x^2-10x + 41 = (x-5)^2 + 16$, it seems natural to wite the right side of the equation in terms of $x-5$: $$\begin{aligned} x^4-9x^3+16x^2+15x+26 &= (x-5)(x^3 - 4x^2 - 4x -5) + 1 \\ &= (x-5)^2(x^2 + x + 1) + 1. \end{aligned}$$ Therefore $\dfrac{7}{\sqrt{x^2-10x+26}+\sqrt{x^2-10x+29}+\sqrt{x^2-10x+41}}=x^4-9x^3+16x^2+15x+26$ can be written as $$\dfrac{7}{\sqrt{ (x-5)^2 + 1}+\sqrt{ (x-5)^2 + 4}+\sqrt{ (x-5)^2 + 16 }} = (x-5)^2(x^2 + x + 1) + 1.$$ If $x=5$ then both sides are equal to $1$. If $x\ne5$ then the left side is less than $1$ (because the denominator will be greater than $7$), and the right side is greater than $1$ (because $x^2+x+1$ is always positive). So $x=5$ is the only solution.
 

FAQ: Can You Solve This Complex Radical Equation?

What is the purpose of solving an equation with three radicals?

Solving an equation with three radicals allows us to find the values of the variables that satisfy the equation and make it true. This can be useful in various mathematical and scientific applications.

How do you solve an equation with three radicals?

To solve an equation with three radicals, we need to isolate one radical on one side of the equation and then square both sides of the equation to eliminate the radical. This process is repeated until all three radicals are eliminated and we are left with a solution for the variables.

Are there any specific rules or methods for solving equations with three radicals?

Yes, there are specific rules and methods for solving equations with three radicals. One common method is to isolate one radical at a time and then square both sides of the equation. Another method is to use substitution, where we replace one radical with a variable and then solve for that variable.

Can an equation with three radicals have multiple solutions?

Yes, an equation with three radicals can have multiple solutions. This is because when we square both sides of the equation to eliminate the radicals, we can end up with extraneous solutions that do not satisfy the original equation. It is important to check our solutions to make sure they are valid.

Can equations with three radicals be solved using other methods besides squaring both sides?

Yes, there are other methods for solving equations with three radicals such as using the quadratic formula or completing the square. However, these methods may not always be applicable and may be more complex than the traditional method of squaring both sides.

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