Elementary Algebra 2e
9.6 Solve Equations with Square Roots
Elementary Algebra 2e9.6 Solve Equations with Square Roots
1 Foundations
1.1 Introduction to Whole Numbers
1.2 Use the Language of Algebra
1.3 Add and Subtract Integers
1.4 Multiply and Divide Integers
1.5 Visualize Fractions
1.6 Add and Subtract Fractions
1.7 Decimals
1.8 The Real Numbers
1.9 Properties of Real Numbers
1.10 Systems of Measurement
Chapter Review
2 Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities
2.1 Solve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality
2.2 Solve Equations using the Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality
2.3 Solve Equations with Variables and Constants on Both Sides
2.4 Use a General Strategy to Solve Linear Equations
2.5 Solve Equations with Fractions or Decimals
2.6 Solve a Formula for a Specific Variable
2.7 Solve Linear Inequalities
3 Math Models
3.1 Use a Problem-Solving Strategy
3.2 Solve Percent Applications
3.3 Solve Mixture Applications
3.4 Solve Geometry Applications: Triangles, Rectangles, and the Pythagorean Theorem
3.5 Solve Uniform Motion Applications
3.6 Solve Applications with Linear Inequalities
4.1 Use the Rectangular Coordinate System
4.2 Graph Linear Equations in Two Variables
4.3 Graph with Intercepts
4.4 Understand Slope of a Line
4.5 Use the Slope-Intercept Form of an Equation of a Line
4.6 Find the Equation of a Line
4.7 Graphs of Linear Inequalities
5 Systems of Linear Equations
5.1 Solve Systems of Equations by Graphing
5.2 Solving Systems of Equations by Substitution
5.3 Solve Systems of Equations by Elimination
5.4 Solve Applications with Systems of Equations
5.5 Solve Mixture Applications with Systems of Equations
5.6 Graphing Systems of Linear Inequalities
6 Polynomials
6.1 Add and Subtract Polynomials
6.2 Use Multiplication Properties of Exponents
6.3 Multiply Polynomials
6.4 Special Products
6.5 Divide Monomials
6.6 Divide Polynomials
6.7 Integer Exponents and Scientific Notation
7 Factoring
7.1 Greatest Common Factor and Factor by Grouping
7.2 Factor Trinomials of the Form x2+bx+c
7.3 Factor Trinomials of the Form ax2+bx+c
7.4 Factor Special Products
7.5 General Strategy for Factoring Polynomials
7.6 Quadratic Equations
8 Rational Expressions and Equations
8.1 Simplify Rational Expressions
8.2 Multiply and Divide Rational Expressions
8.3 Add and Subtract Rational Expressions with a Common Denominator
8.4 Add and Subtract Rational Expressions with Unlike Denominators
8.5 Simplify Complex Rational Expressions
8.6 Solve Rational Equations
8.7 Solve Proportion and Similar Figure Applications
8.8 Solve Uniform Motion and Work Applications
8.9 Use Direct and Inverse Variation
9 Roots and Radicals
9.1 Simplify and Use Square Roots
9.2 Simplify Square Roots
9.3 Add and Subtract Square Roots
9.4 Multiply Square Roots
9.5 Divide Square Roots
9.7 Higher Roots
9.8 Rational Exponents
10 Quadratic Equations
10.1 Solve Quadratic Equations Using the Square Root Property
10.2 Solve Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square
10.3 Solve Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula
10.4 Solve Applications Modeled by Quadratic Equations
10.5 Graphing Quadratic Equations in Two Variables
Solve radical equations
Use square roots in applications
Be Prepared 9.15
Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.
Simplify: ⓐ 99 ⓑ 9292.
If you missed this problem, review Example 9.1 and Example 1.19.
Solve: 5(x+1)−4=3(2x−7)5(x+1)−4=3(2x−7).
If you missed this problem, review Example 2.42.
Solve: n2−6n+8=0n2−6n+8=0.
In this section we will solve equations that have the variable in the radicand of a square root. Equations of this type are called radical equations.
Radical Equation
An equation in which the variable is in the radicand of a square root is called a radical equation.
As usual, in solving these equations, what we do to one side of an equation we must do to the other side as well. Since squaring a quantity and taking a square root are 'opposite' operations, we will square both sides in order to remove the radical sign and solve for the variable inside.
But remember that when we write aa we mean the principal square root. So a≥0a≥0 always. When we solve radical equations by squaring both sides we may get an algebraic solution that would make aa negative. This algebraic solution would not be a solution to the original radical equation; it is an extraneous solution. We saw extraneous solutions when we solved rational equations, too.
Example 9.74
For the equation x+2=xx+2=x:
ⓐ Is x=2x=2 a solution? ⓑ Is x=−1x=−1 a solution?
ⓐ Is x=2x=2 a solution?
Let x = 2.
Simplify.
2 is a solution.
ⓑ Is x=−1x=−1 a solution?
Let x = −1.
−1 is not a solution.
−1 is an extraneous solution to the equation.
Try It 9.147
ⓐ Is x=−2x=−2 a solution? ⓑ Is x=3x=3 a solution?
For the equation −x+2=x−x+2=x:
Now we will see how to solve a radical equation. Our strategy is based on the relation between taking a square root and squaring.
Fora≥0,(a)2=aFora≥0,(a)2=a
How to Solve Radical Equations
Solve: 2x−1=72x−1=7.
Solve: 4x+8=64x+8=6.
Solve a radical equation.
Step 1. Isolate the radical on one side of the equation.
Step 2. Square both sides of the equation.
Step 3. Solve the new equation.
Step 4. Check the answer.
Solve: 5n−4−9=05n−4−9=0.
To isolate the radical, add 9 to both sides.
Square both sides of the equation.
Solve the new equation.
Check the answer.
The solution is n = 17.
Solve: 3m+2−5=03m+2−5=0.
Solve: 10z+1−2=010z+1−2=0.
Solve: 3y+5+2=53y+5+2=5.
To isolate the radical, subtract 2 from both sides.
The solution is y=43y=43.
Solve: 3p+3+3=53p+3+3=5.
Solve: 5q+1+4=65q+1+4=6.
When we use a radical sign, we mean the principal or positive root. If an equation has a square root equal to a negative number, that equation will have no solution.
Solve: 9k−2+1=09k−2+1=0.
Since the square root is equal to a negative number, the equation has no solution.
Solve: 2r−3+5=02r−3+5=0.
Solve: 7s−3+2=07s−3+2=0.
If one side of the equation is a binomial, we use the binomial squares formula when we square it.
Binomial Squares
(a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2(a−b)2=a2−2ab+b2(a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2(a−b)2=a2−2ab+b2
Don't forget the middle term!
Solve: p−1+1=pp−1+1=p.
Simplify, then solve the new equation.
It is a quadratic equation, so get zero on one side.
Factor the right side.
Use the zero product property.
Solve each equation.
Check the answers.
The solutions are p = 1, p = 2.
Solve: x−2+2=xx−2+2=x.
Solve: y−5+5=yy−5+5=y.
Solve: r+4−r+2=0r+4−r+2=0.
r+4−r+2=0r+4−r+2=0
Isolate the radical. r+4=r−2r+4=r−2
Square both sides of the equation. (r+4)2=(r−2)2(r+4)2=(r−2)2
Solve the new equation. r+4=r2−4r+4r+4=r2−4r+4
It is a quadratic equation, so get zero on one side. 0=r2−5r0=r2−5r
Factor the right side. 0=r(r−5)0=r(r−5)
Use the zero product property. 0=r0=r−50=r0=r−5
Solve the equation. r=0r=5r=0r=5
The solution is r=5r=5.
r=0r=0 is an extraneous solution.
Solve: m+9−m+3=0m+9−m+3=0.
Solve: n+1−n+1=0n+1−n+1=0.
When there is a coefficient in front of the radical, we must square it, too.
Solve: 33x−5−8=433x−5−8=4.
33x−5−8=433x−5−8=4
Isolate the radical. 33x−5=1233x−5=12
Square both sides of the equation. (33x−5)2=(12)2(33x−5)2=(12)2
Simplify, then solve the new equation. 9(3x−5)=1449(3x−5)=144
Distribute. 27x−45=14427x−45=144
Solve the equation. 27x=18927x=189
x=7x=7
The solution is x=7x=7.
Solve: 24a+2−16=1624a+2−16=16.
Solve: 36b+3−25=5036b+3−25=50.
Solve: 4z−3=3z+24z−3=3z+2.
4z−3=3z+24z−3=3z+2
The radical terms are isolated. 4z−3=3z+24z−3=3z+2
Square both sides of the equation. (4z−3)2=(3z+2)2(4z−3)2=(3z+2)2
Simplify, then solve the new equation. 4z−3=3z+2z−3=2z=54z−3=3z+2z−3=2z=5
We leave it to you to show that 5 checks! The solution is z=5.z=5.
Solve: 2x−5=5x+32x−5=5x+3.
Solve: 7y+1=2y−57y+1=2y−5.
Sometimes after squaring both sides of an equation, we still have a variable inside a radical. When that happens, we repeat Step 1 and Step 2 of our procedure. We isolate the radical and square both sides of the equation again.
Solve: m+1=m+9m+1=m+9.
m+1=m+9m+1=m+9
The radical on the right side is isolated. Square both sides. (m+1)2=(m+9)2(m+1)2=(m+9)2
Simplify—be very careful as you multiply! m+2m+1=m+9m+2m+1=m+9
There is still a radical in the equation. So we must repeat the previous steps. Isolate the radical. 2m=82m=8
Square both sides. (2m)2=(8)2(2m)2=(8)2
Simplify, then solve the new equation. 4m=644m=64
m=16m=16
We leave it to you to show that m=16m=16 checks! The solution is m=16.m=16.
Solve: x+3=x+5x+3=x+5.
Solve: m+5=m+16m+5=m+16.
Solve: q−2+3=4q+1q−2+3=4q+1.
q−2+3=4q+1q−2+3=4q+1
The radical on the right side is isolated. Square both sides. (q−2+3)2=(4q+1)2(q−2+3)2=(4q+1)2
Simplify. q−2+6q−2+9=4q+1q−2+6q−2+9=4q+1
There is still a radical in the equation. So we must repeat the previous steps. Isolate the radical. 6q−2=3q−66q−2=3q−6
Square both sides. (6q−2)2=(3q−6)2(6q−2)2=(3q−6)2
Simplify, then solve the new equation. 36(q−2)=9q2−36q+3636(q−2)=9q2−36q+36
Distribute. 36q−72=9q2−36q+3636q−72=9q2−36q+36
It is a quadratic equation, so get zero on one side. 0=9q2−72q+1080=9q2−72q+108
Factor the right side. 0=9(q2−8q+12)0=9(q2−8q+12)
0=9(q−6)(q−2)0=9(q−6)(q−2)
Use the zero product property. q−6=0q−2=0q=6q=2q−6=0q−2=0q=6q=2
The checks are left to you. (Both solutions should work.) The solutions areq=6andq=2.The solutions areq=6andq=2.
Solve: y−3+2=4y+2y−3+2=4y+2.
Solve: n−4+5=3n+3n−4+5=3n+3.
As you progress through your college courses, you'll encounter formulas that include square roots in many disciplines. We have already used formulas to solve geometry applications.
We will use our Problem Solving Strategy for Geometry Applications, with slight modifications, to give us a plan for solving applications with formulas from any discipline.
Solve applications with formulas.
Step 1. Read the problem and make sure all the words and ideas are understood. When appropriate, draw a figure and label it with the given information.
Step 2. Identify what we are looking for.
Step 3. Name what we are looking for by choosing a variable to represent it.
Step 4. Translate into an equation by writing the appropriate formula or model for the situation. Substitute in the given information.
Step 5. Solve the equation using good algebra techniques.
Step 6. Check the answer in the problem and make sure it makes sense.
Step 7. Answer the question with a complete sentence.
We used the formula A=L·WA=L·W to find the area of a rectangle with length L and width W. A square is a rectangle in which the length and width are equal. If we let s be the length of a side of a square, the area of the square is s2s2.
The formula A=s2A=s2 gives us the area of a square if we know the length of a side. What if we want to find the length of a side for a given area? Then we need to solve the equation for s.
A=s2Take the square root of both sides.A=s2Simplify.A=sA=s2Take the square root of both sides.A=s2Simplify.A=s
We can use the formula s=As=A to find the length of a side of a square for a given area.
Area of a Square
We will show an example of this in the next example.
Mike and Lychelle want to make a square patio. They have enough concrete to pave an area of 200 square feet. Use the formula s=As=A to find the length of each side of the patio. Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a foot.
Step 1. Read the problem. Draw a figure and
label it with the given information.
A = 200 square feet
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for. The length of a side of the square patio.
Step 3. Name what you are looking for by
choosing a variable to represent it. Let s = the length of a side.
Step 4. Translate into an equation by writing the
appropriate formula or model for the situation.
Substitute the given information.
Step 5. Solve the equation using good algebra
techniques. Round to one decimal place.
Step 6. Check the answer in the problem and
make sure it makes sense.
This is close enough because we rounded the
square root.
Is a patio with side 14.1 feet reasonable?
Step 7. Answer the question with a complete
sentence. Each side of the patio should be 14.1 feet.
Katie wants to plant a square lawn in her front yard. She has enough sod to cover an area of 370 square feet. Use the formula s=As=A to find the length of each side of her lawn. Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a foot.
Sergio wants to make a square mosaic as an inlay for a table he is building. He has enough tile to cover an area of 2704 square centimeters. Use the formula s=As=A to find the length of each side of his mosaic. Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a centimeter.
Another application of square roots has to do with gravity.
On Earth, if an object is dropped from a height of hh feet, the time in seconds it will take to reach the ground is found by using the formula,
t=h4t=h4
For example, if an object is dropped from a height of 64 feet, we can find the time it takes to reach the ground by substituting h=64h=64 into the formula.
Take the square root of 64.
Simplify the fraction.
It would take 2 seconds for an object dropped from a height of 64 feet to reach the ground.
Christy dropped her sunglasses from a bridge 400 feet above a river. Use the formula t=h4t=h4 to find how many seconds it took for the sunglasses to reach the river.
Step 1. Read the problem.
Step 2. Identify what you are looking for. The time it takes for the sunglasses to reach
the river.
choosing a variable to represent it. Let t = time.
Substitute in the given information.
5=5✓5=5✓
Does 5 seconds seem reasonable?
sentence. It will take 5 seconds for the sunglasses to hit
the water.
A helicopter dropped a rescue package from a height of 1,296 feet. Use the formula t=h4t=h4 to find how many seconds it took for the package to reach the ground.
A window washer dropped a squeegee from a platform 196 feet above the sidewalk Use the formula t=h4t=h4 to find how many seconds it took for the squeegee to reach the sidewalk.
Police officers investigating car accidents measure the length of the skid marks on the pavement. Then they use square roots to determine the speed, in miles per hour, a car was going before applying the brakes.
Skid Marks and Speed of a Car
If the length of the skid marks is d feet, then the speed, s, of the car before the brakes were applied can be found by using the formula,
s=24ds=24d
After a car accident, the skid marks for one car measured 190 feet. Use the formula s=24ds=24d to find the speed of the car before the brakes were applied. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
Step 2. Identify what we are looking for. The speed of a car.
Step 3. Name what we are looking for. Let s = the speed.
Step 4. Translate into an equation by writing the appropriate formula.
Step 5. Solve the equation.
Round to 1 decimal place.
Step 6. Check the answer in the problem.
67.5≈?24(190)67.5≈?24(190)
67.5≈?456067.5≈?4560
67.5≈?67.5277...67.5≈?67.5277...
Is 67.5 mph a reasonable speed? Yes.
Step 7. Answer the question with a complete sentence. The speed of the car was approximately 67.5 miles per hour.
An accident investigator measured the skid marks of the car. The length of the skid marks was 76 feet. Use the formula s=24ds=24d to find the speed of the car before the brakes were applied. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
The skid marks of a vehicle involved in an accident were 122 feet long. Use the formula s=24ds=24d to find the speed of the vehicle before the brakes were applied. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
Section 9.6 Exercises
In the following exercises, check whether the given values are solutions.
For the equation x+12=xx+12=x: ⓐ Is x=4x=4 a solution? ⓑ Is x=−3x=−3 a solution?
For the equation −y+20=y−y+20=y: ⓐ Is y=4y=4 a solution? ⓑ Is y=−5y=−5 a solution?
For the equation t+6=tt+6=t: ⓐ Is t=−2t=−2 a solution? ⓑ Is t=3t=3 a solution?
For the equation u+42=uu+42=u: ⓐ Is u=−6u=−6 a solution? ⓑ Is u=7u=7 a solution?
In the following exercises, solve.
5y+1=45y+1=4
7z+15=67z+15=6
5x−6=85x−6=8
2m−3−5=02m−3−5=0
2n−1−3=02n−1−3=0
6v−2−10=06v−2−10=0
4u+2−6=04u+2−6=0
5q+3−4=05q+3−4=0
4m+2+2=64m+2+2=6
6n+1+4=86n+1+4=8
2u−3+2=02u−3+2=0
5v−2+5=05v−2+5=0
3z−5+2=03z−5+2=0
ⓐ u−3+3=uu−3+3=u
ⓑ x+1−x+1=0x+1−x+1=0
ⓐ v−10+10=vv−10+10=v
ⓑ y+4−y+2=0y+4−y+2=0
ⓐ r−1−r=−1r−1−r=−1
ⓑ z+100−z+10=0z+100−z+10=0
ⓐ s−8−s=−8s−8−s=−8
ⓑ w+25−w+5=0w+25−w+5=0
32x−3−20=732x−3−20=7
25x+1−8=025x+1−8=0
28r+1−8=228r+1−8=2
37y+1−10=837y+1−10=8
3u−2=5u+13u−2=5u+1
4v+3=v−64v+3=v−6
8+2r=3r+108+2r=3r+10
12c+6=10−4c12c+6=10−4c
ⓐ a+2=a+4a+2=a+4
ⓑ b−2+1=3b+2b−2+1=3b+2
ⓐ r+6=r+8r+6=r+8
ⓑ s−3+2=s+4s−3+2=s+4
ⓐ u+1=u+4u+1=u+4
ⓑ n−5+4=3n+7n−5+4=3n+7
ⓐ x+10=x+2x+10=x+2
ⓑ y−2+2=2y+4y−2+2=2y+4
2y+4+6=02y+4+6=0
8u+1+9=08u+1+9=0
a+1=a+5a+1=a+5
d−2=d−20d−2=d−20
6s+4=8s−286s+4=8s−28
9p+9=10p−69p+9=10p−6
In the following exercises, solve. Round approximations to one decimal place.
Landscaping Reed wants to have a square garden plot in his backyard. He has enough compost to cover an area of 75 square feet. Use the formula s=As=A to find the length of each side of his garden. Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a foot.
Landscaping Vince wants to make a square patio in his yard. He has enough concrete to pave an area of 130 square feet. Use the formula s=As=A to find the length of each side of his patio. Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a foot.
Gravity While putting up holiday decorations, Renee dropped a light bulb from the top of a 64 foot tall tree. Use the formula t=h4t=h4 to find how many seconds it took for the light bulb to reach the ground.
Gravity An airplane dropped a flare from a height of 1024 feet above a lake. Use the formula t=h4t=h4 to find how many seconds it took for the flare to reach the water.
Gravity A hang glider dropped his cell phone from a height of 350 feet. Use the formula t=h4t=h4 to find how many seconds it took for the cell phone to reach the ground.
Gravity A construction worker dropped a hammer while building the Grand Canyon skywalk, 4000 feet above the Colorado River. Use the formula t=h4t=h4 to find how many seconds it took for the hammer to reach the river.
Accident investigation The skid marks for a car involved in an accident measured 54 feet. Use the formula s=24ds=24d to find the speed of the car before the brakes were applied. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
Accident investigation The skid marks for a car involved in an accident measured 216 feet. Use the formula s=24ds=24d to find the speed of the car before the brakes were applied. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
Accident investigation An accident investigator measured the skid marks of one of the vehicles involved in an accident. The length of the skid marks was 175 feet. Use the formula s=24ds=24d to find the speed of the vehicle before the brakes were applied. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
Explain why an equation of the form x+1=0x+1=0 has no solution.
ⓐ Solve the equation r+4−r+2=0r+4−r+2=0.
ⓑ Explain why one of the "solutions" that was found was not actually a solution to the equation.
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ After reviewing this checklist, what will you do to become confident for all objectives?
Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/elementary-algebra-2e/pages/1-introduction
Authors: Lynn Marecek, MaryAnne Anthony-Smith, Andrea Honeycutt Mathis
Book title: Elementary Algebra 2e
Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/elementary-algebra-2e/pages/1-introduction
Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/elementary-algebra-2e/pages/9-6-solve-equations-with-square-roots
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