How do you solve and check for extraneous solutions in sqrt(x^2+5)=3-x?

1 Answer
Aug 1, 2015

color(red)(x = 2/3)
There are color(red)("no") extraneous solutions.

Explanation:

sqrt(x^2+5) = 3-x

Square each side.

x^2+5=(3-x)^2

Remove parentheses.

x^2+5=9-6x+x^2

Move all terms in x the left hand side.

x^2+5+6x-x^2 =9

5+6x =9

6x = 9-5 = 4

x = 4/6

x = 2/3

There are no extraneous solutions.

Check:

sqrt(x^2+5) = 3-x

sqrt((2/3)^2+5) = 3-2/3

sqrt(4/9+5) = (9-2)/3

sqrt((45+4)/9) = 7/3

sqrt(49/9) = 7/3

7/3 = 7/3