3(the square root of) a minus 5 = 13. The teacher said the correct answer was a = 36. I've done similar problems before but I can't figure out how to get a = 36... I did the normal steps, square both sides, etc. Can anyone help me?

Question

anonymous · Answer

$$3\sqrt{a}-5$$

anonymous · Answer

$$\sqrt[3]{x-5}=13$$ or 
$$3\sqrt{x-5}=13$$

anonymous · Answer

or 
$$3\sqrt{x}-5=13$$

anonymous · Answer

The second one

anonymous · Answer

3rd example you wrote, second comment

anonymous · Answer

$$3\sqrt{x}-5=13$$ add 5 and get $$3\sqrt{x}=18$$ divide by $3$ to get 
$$\sqrt{x}=6$$

anonymous · Answer

then square

anonymous · Answer

Thanks so much! I was trying to square first and it was making the problem really complicated.

anonymous · Answer

yeah that will be a pain
isolate the radical first if you can

anonymous · Answer

Will do thanks for advice an help!