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

Question

anonymous · Answer

would do the square root?

anonymous · Answer

square both sides is the first step

anonymous · Answer

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

anonymous · Answer

$$\sqrt{x+5}-2=\sqrt{x-1}$$

anonymous · Answer

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

anonymous · Answer

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 $x$

anonymous · Answer

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

anonymous · Answer

right

anonymous · Answer

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