RADICAL EQUATION

Procedure

Solving Radical Equations 1. Isolate the radical (or one of the radicals). 2. Exponentiate to eliminate the isolated radical. 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 if there are still radicals. 4. Solve the resulting equation. 5. Check your answers using the original equation.

Example 1 Solve for x.

Solution

Isolate
Exponentiate
Solve

Check

x = 33 is the solution of

Example 2 Solve

Solution

Isolate
Exponentiate
Solve

Therefore x = 1 is the only solution of

Example 3 Solve for x.

Solution

Isolate
Exponentiate
Solve

x = 20 is the solution to

Example 4 Solve for x.

Solution

Isolate
Exponentiate

Isolate
Exponentiate
Solve

x = 2 is the solution to

§3-5 PROBLEM SET

Solve each radical equation

§3-5 PROBLEM SOLUTIONS