How do I find the extraneous solution of √x+4=x−2?
1 Answer
Mar 8, 2018
Explanation:
square both sides to 'undo' the radical
(√x+4)2=(x−2)2
⇒x+4=x2−4x+4
rearrange into standard form
⇒x2−5x=0←in standard form
⇒x(x−5)=0
⇒x=0 or x=5
As a check
Substitute these values into the original equation
x=0→√4=2 and 0−2=−2
2≠−2⇒x=0 is an extraneous solution
x=5→√9=3 and 5−2=3← True
⇒x=5 is the solution