How do you solve x = sqrt(-3x + 10) and find any extraneous solutions?

1 Answer
Jul 9, 2016

x=-5" and "x=+2" " are solutions to x^2+3x-10=0

Extraneous ul("values") of x>10/3

For AAx notin {-5,2}" " =>" " x^2+3x-10 != 0

Explanation:

color(blue)("Determine general solution")

Square both sides

x^2=-3x+10" "larr" you now have a quadratic"

x^2+3x-10=0

Notice that 2xx5=10" and "5-2=+3

Thus the factorization is" "(x+5)(x-2)=0

So x=-5" and "x=+2 are general solutions
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color(blue)("Determine extraneous values of "x)

For the number to remain in the ul("'Real'") domain you may can not permit the square root to be that of a negative number.

So -3x+10>=0

Multiply by (-1) giving

+3x-10<=0
Notice that the inequality sign has turned the other way. This happens when you multiply by (-1)

Add 10 to both sides

3x<=10

=>x<=10/3 as a required condition

=>x>10/3 takes the solution out of the Real domain and into the Complex number domain