Algebra Period 3 (Wednesday)

CHAPTER 11-9: EQUATIONS WITH RADICALS
When you have an equation where the variable is under the SQRT sign,
simply square both sides to solve for the variable.
Remember to isolate the variable on one side before you square it,
unless there is a number under the SQRT sign with the variable.

Example #1 on p. 521
SQRT(x) = 5
Square both sides and you'll get x = 25

Example # 9 is much harder
3 + SQRT(x - 1) = 5
move the 3 to other side first SQRT(x - 1) = 5 - 3
Now square both sides x - 1 = 2²
Now add 1 to both sides: x = 4 + 1 x = 5

Look at Examples #15 & 16 ---- In both cases, there is no possible value for x because the square root of a number CAN NEVER BE NEGATIVE IN THE REAL NUMBER SYSTEM!

Try Example #17 yourself, and see what happens (you should also end up with no value, but why?)