Question

one more question :) what would be the first step in solving [(x+5)^1/2]-2=(x-1)^1/2

Answer 1

would do the square root?

Answer 2

square both sides is the first step

Answer 3

does that drop the exponent, and you are left with what is inside the parenthesis?

Answer 4

\[\sqrt{x+5}-2=\sqrt{x-1}\]

Answer 5

square and get
\[x+5-4\sqrt{x+5}+4=x-1\]

Answer 6

or
\[x+9-4\sqrt{x+5}=x-1\] then cancel the \(x\)
\[9-4\sqrt{x+5}=-1\] subtract \(9\)
\[-4\sqrt{x+5}=-10\] divide by \(-4\) and get
\[\sqrt{x+5}=\frac{5}{2}\] then square again and solve for \(x\)

Answer 7

ok then isolate the radical like in the previous question and then square again?

Answer 8

right

Answer 9

only need to square one more time now
get \(x+5=\frac{25}{4}\) then subtract \(5\)