solving square root equations:
square root of x-1+3=x?
help please

Question

anonymous · Answer

Are you sure this is the equation? It's not possible for a number plus two to equal itself.

anonymous · Answer

$$\sqrt{X-1 +3=x}$$

anonymous · Answer

It's like that but with the 3 and the x out the square root

anonymous · Answer

In that case, first you want to isolate the square root, so subtract 3 from both sides$$\sqrt{x-1}+3-3=x-3$$ leaving you with $$\sqrt{x-1}=x-3$$ next, square both sides to get rid of the square root sign (remember, a square root is the same thing as taking something to the one-half power. Refer to your exponent rules if you're still confused).$$\sqrt{x-1}^{2}=(x-3)^{2}$$
now you have $$x-1=(x-3)^{2}$$ expand the right hand side of the equation using the foil method, and you get $$x-1=x ^{2}-6x+9$$ subtract x-1 from both sides, leaving the left side zero. Now you have $$0=x ^{2}-7x+10$$ Use the formula $$x=(-b+or -\sqrt{b ^{2}-4ac})\div2a$$ to get your answer.