Carcass wrote:
If √4+x12=√x+2, then x could be equal to which of the following?
A. -1
B. 0
C. 1
D. 4
E. cannot be determined.
The fastest solution most likely involves testing each answer choice. This allows us to solve the question in well under a minute.
That said, we can also solve the equation algebraically.
For equations involving square roots, we must make sure we test for
extraneous roots (more in the video below).
Given:
√4+x12=√x+2Square both sides to get: 4 + x^(1/2) = x + 2
Subtract 4 from both sides: x^(1/2) = x - 2
Square both sides: x = (x - 2)²
Expand: x = x² - 4x + 4
Subtract x from both sides: 0 = x² - 5x + 4
Factor: 0 = (x - 1)(x - 4)
So, EITHER x = 1 OR x = 4
IMPORTANT: Now plug the solutions into the original equation to check for
extraneous roots. Try x = 1
Given:
√4+x12=√x+2Replace x with 1 to get:
√4+112=√1+2Simplify:
√5=√3Doesn't work.
ELIMINATE x = 1
Try x = 4
Given:
√4+x12=√x+2Replace x with 4 to get:
√4+412=√4+2Simplify:
√4+2=√4+2Simplify:
√6=√6WORKS!!
Answer: D