3-4 Radical Equations

Unit 3 Quadratic and Polynomial Functions

Concepts and Objectives

Objective #13

Solve equations with radicals and check the solutions

Solve equations that are quadratic in form

Power Property

If P and Q are algebraic expressions, then every

solution of the equation P = Q is also a solution of
the equation Pn = Qn, for any positive integer n.

Note: This does not mean that every solution of Pn = Qn

is a solution of P = Q.

We use the power property to transform an equation
that is difficult to solve into one that can be solved more
easily. Whenever we change an equation, however, it is
essential to check all possible solutions in the original
equation.
Solving Radical Equations

Step 1 Isolate the radical on one side of the equation.

Step 2 Raise each side of the equation to a power that is
the same as the index of the radical to eliminate the
radical.

If the equation still contains a radical, repeat steps 1
and 2.

Step 3 Solve the resulting equation.

Step 4 Check each proposed solution in the original
equation.
Solving Radical Equations

Example: Solve x − 4 x + 12 = 0
Solving Radical Equations

Example: Solve x − 4 x + 12 = 0
x = 4 x + 12 Check: 6 − 4 ( 6 ) + 12 = 0
x 2 = 4 x + 12 6 − 36 = 0
x 2 − 4 x − 12 = 0 6−6 = 0
( x − 6 )( x + 2) = 0 0=0
x = 6, −2 −2 − 4 ( −2) + 12 = 0
−2 − 4 = 0
−2 − 2 = 0
Solution: {6} −4 ≠ 0
Solving Radical Equations

Example: Solve 3x + 1 − x + 4 = 1
Solving Radical Equations

Example: Solve 3x + 1 − x + 4 = 1
3x + 1 = x + 4 + 1 Check: 3( 0) + 1 − 0 + 4 = 1
3x + 1 = x + 4 + 2 x + 4 + 1 1 − 4 =1
2x − 4 = 2 x + 4 1−2 =1
x −2 = x + 4 −1 ≠ 1
x 2 − 4x + 4 = x + 4 3( 5 ) + 1 − 5 + 4 = 1
x 2 − 5x = 0 16 − 9 = 1
x ( x − 5) = 0 4 −3 = 1
x = 0, 5 1=1
Solution: {5}
Quadratic in Form

An equation is said to be quadratic in form if it can be
written as
au2 + bu + c = 0
where a ≠ 0 and u is some algebraic expression.

To solve this type of equation, substitute u for the

algebraic expression, solve the quadratic expression for
u, and then set it equal to the algebraic expression and
solve for x. Because we are transforming the equation,
you will still need to check any proposed solutions.
Quadratic in Form
23 13

Example: Solve ( x − 1 ) + ( x − 1) − 12 = 0
Quadratic in Form
23 13

Example: Solve ( x − 1 ) + ( x − 1) − 12 = 0
13
Let u = ( x − 1 ) . This makes our equation:
u2 + u − 12 = 0
(u + 4 )(u − 3) = 0
u = −4, 3
13 13
So, ( x − 1 ) = −4 and ( x − 1 ) = 3
x − 1 = −64 x − 1 = 27
x = −63 x = 28
Quadratic in Form
23 13

Example: Solve ( x − 1 ) + ( x − 1) − 12 = 0 (cont.)

Now, we have to check our proposed solutions:

23 13
( −63 − 1) + ( −63 − 1) − 12 = 0
23 13
( −64 ) + ( −64 ) − 12 = 0
2 1
( −4 ) + ( −4 ) − 12 = 0
16 − 4 − 12 = 0
0=0
Quadratic in Form
23 13

Example: Solve ( x − 1 ) + ( x − 1) − 12 = 0 (cont.)

23 13
(28 − 1) + (28 − 1) − 12 = 0
23 13
(27 ) + (27 ) − 12 = 0
2 1
( ) ( ) − 12 = 0
3 + 3
9 + 3 − 12 = 0
0=0

Solution: {–63, 28}

Homework

College Algebra

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