Question

My work asks me to identify any extraneous solutions, what exactly am I looking for?

Like an alternative answer?
(ie: x = 3 OR x = -1)

Answer 1

Sometimes, for example, a quadratic, produces 2 solutions but one of them is clearly inappropriate (perhaps because it is negative).

Answer 2

So what about when it's something like -4√(x + 9) = 20

Answer 3

Should I say something like

√(x + 9) = 5 OR √(x + 9) + 5 = 0

Answer 4

The only way that your equation can have solutions is if sqrt(x+9) = -5 which is impossible, so no solutions exist.

Answer 5

I see, thanks.

Answer 6

ur welcome.