Solve the Equation getting rid of square roots

In summary, the equation 1+ √((1+x)√(x^2-24)) = x involves getting rid of square roots in order to solve it. After making a mistake in the original solution, it is determined that x=7 is the only solution to the equation. Another attempt at finding a second solution results in an extraneous root, making 7 the only valid solution.
  • #1
Plutonium88
174
0
Solve the Equation... getting rid of square roots PLZ

1+ √((1+x)√(x^2-24)) = x
(x*√(x^2-24)) = (x-1)^2 (Square both side)
(-1)+1+(x^√(x^2-24) = (x^2 - 2x +1)-1
x^2(x^2-24) = (x^2 -2x)^2 (Square both sides)
x^4 -24x^2 = (x^2 - 2x)^2
x^4 -24x = x^4 - 4x^3 +4x^2
0 = -4x^3 +4x^2 +4x^2
0 = 4x^2 +4x+ 24

4x^2 -4x -24 = 0


What mistake am I making...

I honestly have tried a bunch of different times, and i had another student check it for me, and i can't catch the mistake I'm making!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2


edit:

I misread your equation, I think. Is it
[tex]1+\sqrt{(x+1)\sqrt{x^2-24}}=x[/tex]
 
Last edited:
  • #3


RoshanBBQ said:
edit:

I misread your equation, I think. Is it
[tex]1+\sqrt{(x+1)\sqrt{x^2-24}}=x[/tex]

It is, he has the extra set of parentheses to imply this.

Edit: Now that I "solved" this (turns out to be a cubic equation) the answer isn't pretty and the equation might be something else that yields an easier answer).

1+ √((1+x)√(x^2-24)) = x
(x*√(x^2-24)) = (x-1)^2 (Square both side)

The right hand side is fine (you subtracted the 1 and then squared) but the left hand side is incorrect.
 
Last edited:
  • #4


scurty said:
It is, he has the extra set of parentheses to imply this.

Edit: Now that I "solved" this (turns out to be a cubic equation) the answer isn't pretty and the equation might be something else that yields an easier answer).
The right hand side is fine (you subtracted the 1 and then squared) but the left hand side is incorrect.

Honestly i feel like a tool... I just rewrote the question on my board and did it... and this is the way i solved it earlier for my teacher..

unfortunately when i divided 28/4 i got... 6.. not 7.. i couldn't do simple math in my head... x.x

hers my solution i just took a picture off my whiteboard.. c.c

http://postimage.org/image/oku2wqccn/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #5


I find... when i plug in 7 into the right side

1+all-sqrt(1+x)sqrt(x^2-24) = x

it resolves as 7...

therefore LS = RS Since X=7

Is This CorrecT?
 
  • #6


Yes, 7 is the correct answer! You miswrote your equation in your first post which is why it confused us. You should have wrote:

1+ sqrt(1+x * sqrt[(x^2)-24]) = x

Or better yet:

[itex]\displaystyle 1 + \sqrt{1+x \cdot \sqrt{x^2-24}}=x[/itex]


You had parentheses aroung the 1 + x originally which implied their sum was being multiplied by the inside square root.
 
  • #7


scurty said:
Yes, 7 is the correct answer! You miswrote your equation in your first post which is why it confused us. You should have wrote:

1+ sqrt(1+x * sqrt[(x^2)-24]) = x

Or better yet:

[itex]\displaystyle 1 + \sqrt{1+x \cdot \sqrt{x^2-24}}=x[/itex]


You had parentheses aroung the 1 + x originally which implied their sum was being multiplied by the inside square root.

Yea I'm silly like that.. Sorry, but thank you very much for your help, how do i write the equations like you guys are writing so they are much more visually evident.
 
  • #8


Plutonium88 said:
Yea I'm silly like that.. Sorry, but thank you very much for your help, how do i write the equations like you guys are writing so they are much more visually evident.

You end it with[\tex]. You start it with [tex]. Then you use various commands that format into what we wrote.
\sqrt{} is square root
a^b is a power, but you can also do a^{b+c+d}. \frac{numerator}{denominator} is for fractions. I use this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Displaying_a_formula

You can also always quote someone who has done it. You will then see how he created his equations in the quoted text. For example, try quoting me or scurty and seeing the [tex] statement.
 
  • #9


√Oh okay thanks a lot. Also I'm coming to find there are 2 solutions for this problem but I can't seen to find the other. I remember in trig there was a way to prove for ex.
Cosx + sinx = 0
Divide by cosx to get tanx

But because u got rid of cosx u could prove it wasn't part of solution anyway in lOst on finding the second solution...

at the point

1+√1+x√x^2-24 = x
√1+x√x^2-24 = x-1 (square both sdie)
1 +x√x^2-24 = (x-1)^2 (subtract 1 from both sides)
x√x^2-24 = x-2x
Divide by x here, and i believe this is where i determine the other solution, but how exactly?

√x^2-24 = X-2
Square both side

x^2-24 = (x-2)^2
x^2-24 = x^2-4x+4
4x = 28
x = 7
so yea this other solution :(
 
Last edited:
  • #10


okay so another teacher helped me today at school with the solution.. My original solution is incorrect.

Variables cannot be divided by, you must factor them, or they can be removed by subtraction/addition.

1 +x√x^2-24 = (x-1)^2

so from this point.

x√x^2-24 = x^2 -2x +1 -1
x√x^2-24 - x^2 +2x = 0

x(√x^2-24 - x + 2)= 0

x = 0 or
√x^2-24 -x + 2 = 0
√x^2-24 = x -2
square both sides
x^2 - 24 = (x-2)^2

x^2 -24 = x^2 -4x +4
4x = 28
x = 7

Plug back in,1+√1+x√X^2-24 = x

X=7 is a solution
x= 0 not a solution due to extraneous roots.
 

FAQ: Solve the Equation getting rid of square roots

What is the process for getting rid of square roots in an equation?

The process for getting rid of square roots in an equation is called "squaring both sides". This means that you raise both sides of the equation to the power of two. This will eliminate the square root symbol, leaving you with a regular number or variable on both sides of the equation.

Why do we need to get rid of square roots in equations?

Getting rid of square roots in equations allows us to easily solve for the variable in the equation. It also helps to simplify the equation and make it easier to understand and work with.

Can you always get rid of square roots in an equation?

No, there are some equations where getting rid of square roots is not possible. This is typically when there are other operations or variables involved in the equation, making it more complicated.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when getting rid of square roots in equations?

One common mistake is forgetting to apply the square root to both sides of the equation. Another mistake is incorrectly expanding the squared terms, leading to incorrect solutions. It is important to carefully follow the steps and check your work to avoid these mistakes.

Are there any specific guidelines for getting rid of square roots in equations?

Yes, there are a few guidelines to follow when getting rid of square roots in equations. These include: always applying the square root to both sides, properly expanding the squared terms, and checking your work to ensure a correct solution. It is also important to be aware of any restrictions on the variables in the equation, as some solutions may not be valid for certain values.

Back
Top