Solving Radical Equations

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Warm Up

Simplify each expression.

1. ( 3𝑥 − 1)

2. ( 2𝑥 + 5)

3. (7 𝑥 + 6)

4. ( 𝑥 − 5 + 3)

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Warm Up

Simplify each expression.

1. ( 3𝑥 − 1) 3𝑥 − 1

2. ( 2𝑥 + 5) 2𝑥 + 5

3. (7 𝑥 + 6) 49𝑥 + 294

4. ( 𝑥 − 5 + 3) 𝑥+4+6 𝑥−5

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Standards for Mathematical Content

A.REI.2
Solve simple rational and radical equations in one variable, and
give examples showing how extraneous solutions may arise.

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Standards for Mathematical Practice

MP3
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
MP5
Use appropriate tools strategically.
MP8
Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

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Lesson Goals

● Solve radical equations in one variable and identify

extraneous solutions.
● Solve radical equations by graphing systems of equations.

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Learn
Solving Radical Equations Algebraically

A radical equation has a variable in a radicand. When solving a

radical equation, the result may be an extraneous solution.

Key Concept: Solving Radical Equations

Step 1 Isolate the radical on one side of the equation.
Step 2 To eliminate the radical, raise each side of the
equation to a power equal to the index of the radical.
Step 3 Solve the resulting polynomial equation. Check your
results.

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Example 1
Solve a Square Root Equation

Solve 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟓 + 𝟐 = 𝟔

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Example 1
Solve a Square Root Equation

Think About It!

How could you change the equation so that there is no
solution?

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Example 1
Solve a Square Root Equation

3𝑥 − 5 + 2 = 6 Original equation

3𝑥 − 5 = 4 Subtract 2 from each side.

3𝑥 − 5 = 16 Square each side to eliminate the radical.

𝑥=7 Simplify.

Check that the result satisfies the original equation.

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Example 2
Solve a Cube Root Equations

𝟏
Solve 𝟒(𝟐𝒙 + 𝟔) −𝟗 = 𝟑 𝟑

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Example 2
Solve a Cube Root Equations

To remove the power, or cube root, you must first isolate it and then
raise each side of the equation to the third power.
Original equation
4(2𝑥 + 6) −9 = 3
4(2𝑥 + 6) = 12 Add 9 to each side.

(2𝑥 + 6) = 3 Divide each side by 4.

2𝑥 + 6 = 27 Cube each side.
2𝑥 = 21 Subtract 6 from each side.
𝑥= Divide each side by 2.
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Example 2
Solve a Cube Root Equations

Check

4(2𝑥 + 6) −9 = 3 Original equation

4(2 + 6) −9 ≟ 3 Replace 𝑥 with .

4( ) − 9 ≟ 3 Simplify.
4 −9≟3 The Cube root of 27 is 3.
=3 True.

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Example 2
Solve a Cube Root Equations

Check

4(2𝑥 + 6) −9 = 3 Original equation

4(2 + 6) −9 ≟ 3 Replace 𝑥 with .

4(27) − 9 ≟ 3 Simplify.
4 3 −9≟3 The Cube root of 27 is 3.
3=3 True.

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Example 3
Identify Extraneous Solutions

Solve 𝒙 + 𝟐𝟏 = 𝟑 − 𝒙.

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Example 3
Identify Extraneous Solutions

𝑥 + 21 = 3 − 𝑥 Original equation
𝑥 + 21 = 9 − 6 𝑥 + 𝑥 Square each side.
12 = −6 𝑥 Isolate the radical.
−2 = 𝑥 Divide each side by −6
4=𝑥 Square each side.

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Example 3
Identify Extraneous Solutions

Talk About It!

In Example 3, could you tell that 4 was an extraneous
solution before checking the result? Explain your reasoning.

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Example 3
Identify Extraneous Solutions

Check

𝑥 + 21 = 3 − 𝑥 Original equation

+ 21 ≟ 3 − Replace 𝑥 with 4.
25 ≟ 3 − 2 Simplify.
__ ≠ __ False.

The result does not satisfy the original equation, so it is an

solution. Therefore, there is .

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Example 3
Identify Extraneous Solutions

Check

𝑥 + 21 = 3 − 𝑥 Original equation
4 + 21 ≟ 3 − 4 Replace 𝑥 with 4.
25 ≟ 3 − 2 Simplify.
5≠1 False.

The result does not satisfy the original equation, so it is an

extraneous solution. Therefore, there is no real solution.

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Example 4
Solve a Radical Equation

𝟏
𝟐
Solve (𝟏𝟏𝒙 + 𝟏𝟒) + 𝟖 = 𝟏𝟎
𝟔
𝟑

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Example 4
Solve a Radical Equation

(11𝑥 + 14) + 8 = 10 Original equation

(11𝑥 + 14) = 2 Subtract 8 from each side.

(11𝑥 + 14) = 3 Multiply each side by .

11𝑥 + 14 = 729 Raise each side to the sixth power.
11𝑥 = 715 Subtract 14 from each side.
𝑥 = 65 Divide each side by 11.

The value of 65 does make the equation true.

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Learn
Solving Radical Equations by Graphing

To solve a radical equation using the graph of a related

function, rewrite the equation with 0 on one side and then
replace 0 with 𝑓(𝑥).
Equation: 2𝑥 + 5 + 1 = 4
Related Function: 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 5 − 3 or 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 5 − 3
The values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 are the zeros of the
function and occur at the 𝑥-intercepts of its graph. The
solutions or roots of an equation are the zeros or 𝑥-intercepts
of its related function.

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Learn
Solving Radical Equations by Graphing

You can also solve a radical equation by writing and solving a

system of equations based on the equation. Set the
expressions on each side of the equation equal to y to create
the system of equations.
Equation: 2𝑥 + 5 + 1 = 4
System of Equations: 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 5 + 1 𝑦=4
The 𝑥-coordinate of the intersection of the system of equations
is the value of 𝑥 where the two equations are equal. Thus, the
𝑥-coordinate of the point of intersection is the solution of the
radical equation.
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Learn
Solving Radical Equations by Graphing

Think About It!

What would the graph of the related function of a radical
equation with no solution look like?

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Example 5
Solve a Radical Equation by Graphing

𝟑
Use a graphing calculator to solve 𝟐 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟒 + 𝟏𝟎 = 𝟗 by
graphing.

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Example 5
Solve a Radical Equation by Graphing

Step 1 Find a related function.

Rewrite equation with 0 on right side.

2 3𝑥 − 4 + 10 = 9 Original equation
2 3𝑥 − 4 + 1 = 0 Subtract 9 from each side.

Replacing 0 with 𝑓(𝑥) gives the related function

𝑓 𝑥 = 2 3𝑥 − 4 + 1

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Example 5
Solve a Radical Equation by Graphing

Step 2 Graph the related function.

Use the Y = list to graph.

Step 3 Use a table.

You can use the TABLE feature to
find the interval where the zero lies.
The function changes sign between
𝑥 = 1 and 𝑥 = 2 which indicates that
there is a zero between 1 and 2.

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Example 5
Solve a Radical Equation by Graphing

Step 4 Find the zero.

Use the zero feature from the CALC menu to find the zero
of the function. The zero is about 1.29. This is between
1 and 2, which is consistent with the interval we found
using the table.

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Example 6
Solve a Radical Equation by Using a
System

Use a graphing calculator to solve 𝒙 + 𝟔 − 𝟓 = − 𝟐𝒙 + 1

by using a system of equations.

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Example 6
Solve a Radical Equation by Using a
System
Step 1 Write a system.
Set each side of 𝑥 + 6 − 5 = − 2𝑥 + 1 equal to 𝑦
to create a system of equations.

𝑦 = 𝑥+6−5 First equation

𝑦 = − 2𝑥 +1 Second equation

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Example 6
Solve a Radical Equation by Using a
System
Step 2 Graph the system.
Enter the equations in the Y = list and
graph in the standard viewing window.

Step 3 Find the intersection.

Use the intersect feature from the
CALC menu to find the coordinates of
the point of intersection. The solution
is the 𝑥-coordinate of the intersection,
which is about 4.02.
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Example 6
Solve a Radical Equation by Using a
System
Think About It!
How can you use the table feature on your calculator to find the
intersection?

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Example 6
Solve a Radical Equation by Using a
System
Check
Use a graphing calculator to solve −4 𝑥 − 2 = 𝑥 − 3 − 6 by
using a system of equations. Round to the nearest hundredth if
necessary. 𝑥 ≈

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Example 6
Solve a Radical Equation by Using a
System
Check
Use a graphing calculator to solve −4 𝑥 − 2 = 𝑥 − 3 − 6 by
using a system of equations. Round to the nearest hundredth if
necessary. 𝑥 ≈ 3.96

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Example 7
Confirm Solutions by Using Technology

SPACE The square of the time it takes a planet to orbit the

Sun T is equal to the cube of the planet’s mean distance from
the Sun a. This relationship can also be written as 𝑻 = 𝒂𝟑 ,
where T is measured in years and a is measured in
astronomical units (AU). If it takes Mars 1.88 years to orbit the
Sun, use a graphing calculator to find the mean distance from
Mars to the Sun.

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Example 7
Confirm Solutions by Using Technology

1.88 = 𝑎 𝑇 = 1.88
3.5344 = 𝑎 Square each side.
1.5233 ≈ 𝑎 Take the cube root of each side.

So, the mean distance from Mars to the Sun is

about 1.5233 AU. Use a graphing calculator to
confirm this solution by graphing.

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Exit Ticket
Solve each equation.

1. 𝑥 + 13 − 7 = 3

2. (2𝑥 + 1) = 25

3. 𝑥 + 7 − 𝑥 = 1

4. 7𝑥 + 2 + 1 = 3

5. Use a graphing calculator to solve 5𝑥 + 1 = 6𝑥 − 6 by using a

system of equations.
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Exit Ticket
Solve each equation.

1. 𝑥 + 13 − 7 = 3 87

2. (2𝑥 + 1) = 25 62

3. 𝑥 + 7 − 𝑥 = 1 9

4. 7𝑥 + 2 + 1 = 3 2

5. Use a graphing calculator to solve 5𝑥 + 1 = 6𝑥 − 6 by using a

system of equations. 7
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