Radical Equations Practice

Front

What is a radical equation?

Back

An equation that contains a variable within a radical (square root, cube root, etc.).

Front

How do you solve a radical equation?

Back

Isolate the radical on one side, square both sides to eliminate the radical, and then solve for the variable.

Front

Why is it important to check your answers when solving radical equations?

Back

Squaring both sides can introduce extraneous solutions that do not satisfy the original equation.

Front

What is an extraneous solution?

Back

A solution that emerges from the process of solving the equation but does not satisfy the original equation.

Front

Solve the radical equation: √(x + 5) = 3.

Back

x = 4.

Front

Solve the radical equation: √(2x - 1) = 5.

Back

x = 13/2.

Front

Solve the radical equation: √(x - 2) + 3 = 7.

Back

x = 11.

Front

What is the first step in solving the equation √(x) = 4?

Back

Square both sides to get x = 16.

Front

Solve the radical equation: √(x + 1) = x - 3.

Back

x = 4.

Front

What happens if you square both sides of an equation incorrectly?

Back

You may create a false equation that leads to incorrect solutions.