S OLVING R ADICAL E QUATIONS Objective: solve simple radical equations and check for extraneous solutions How do you undo a square root or a cube root?
V OCABULARY Radical Symbol
Square Root Ex. 9 = 3 ∙ 3 Cube Root Ex. 8 = 2 ∙ 2 ∙ 2 Fourth Root etc.
R ATIONAL (F RACTION ) E XPONENTS
R E - WRITE EACH IN RADICAL FORM :
R EMEMBER … A square root “undoes” a square A cube root “undoes” a cube
T HEREFORE … A square “undoes” a square root A cube “undoes” a cube root
H OW TO SOLVE A RADICAL EQUATION Step 1: Step 1: Put in radical form if necessary Step 2: Step 2: Get radical symbol alone Step 3: Step 3: Square or cube both sides Step 4: Step 4: Drop the radical symbol Step 5: Step 5: Solve Step 6: Step 6: Check your answers!! *Might be extraneous
E X 1) S OLVE FOR X
E X 2) S OLVE FOR X
E X 3) S OLVE FOR X
E X 4) S OLVE FOR X
S OLVE & C HECK S OLUTIONS x = 17
S OLVE & C HECK S OLUTIONS x = 6
S OLVE & C HECK S OLUTIONS x = 64
S OLVE & C HECK S OLUTIONS x = -1
S OLVE & C HECK S OLUTIONS x = 59
S OLVE & C HECK S OLUTIONS x = 727
S OLVE & C HECK S OLUTIONS x = 1 x = 4
S OLVE & C HECK S OLUTIONS x = -2 extraneous x = 1
S OLVE & C HECK S OLUTIONS No Solution