Chapter 3: Problem 36
Solve. $$\sqrt{5-x}=1$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
x = 4
Step by step solution
01
- Isolate the radical expression
The given equation is \( \sqrt{5-x} = 1 \). The radical expression \( \sqrt{5-x} \) is already isolated on the left side of the equation.
02
- Square both sides of the equation
To eliminate the square root, square both sides of the equation: \( (\sqrt{5-x})^2 = 1^2 \). This simplifies to \( 5 - x = 1 \).
03
- Solve for x
Solve the linear equation obtained in Step 2. Start by isolating \( x \): \( 5 - x = 1 \). Subtract 5 from both sides: \( -x = -4 \). Multiply both sides by -1 to solve for \( x \): \( x = 4 \).
04
- Check the solution
Substitute \( x = 4 \) back into the original equation to verify: \( \sqrt{5-4} = 1 \). Simplifying inside the radical: \( \sqrt{1} = 1 \), which is a true statement. Therefore, \( x = 4 \) is the correct solution.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Radical Equations
A radical equation is any equation that contains a variable within a radical, typically a square root. To solve these types of equations, the goal is to isolate the radical expression and then eliminate it by squaring both sides of the equation. Consider the example:
\ \[ \sqrt{5-x} = 1 \ \]
Here, the radical term \( \sqrt{5-x} \) is already isolated. By squaring both sides of the equation, you get:
\ \[ (\sqrt{5-x})^2 = 1^2 \ \]
Which simplifies to:
\ \[ 5 - x = 1 \ \]
This transformation removes the radical, allowing you to solve the resulting linear equation.
\ \[ \sqrt{5-x} = 1 \ \]
Here, the radical term \( \sqrt{5-x} \) is already isolated. By squaring both sides of the equation, you get:
\ \[ (\sqrt{5-x})^2 = 1^2 \ \]
Which simplifies to:
\ \[ 5 - x = 1 \ \]
This transformation removes the radical, allowing you to solve the resulting linear equation.
Linear Equations
After breaking down the radical equation, what remains is a linear equation. Linear equations are equations of the first degree, meaning they involve no exponents greater than one. They typically take the form \( ax + b = c \). In our example, we isolated the variable \( x \) as follows:
\ \[ 5 - x = 1 \ \]
To solve, first isolate \( x \). Perform arithmetic operations to both sides of the equation:
\ \[ 5 - x = 1 \ \]
To solve, first isolate \( x \). Perform arithmetic operations to both sides of the equation:
- Subtract 5 from both sides: \( -x = -4 \)
- Multiply both sides by -1: \( x = 4 \)
Step-by-Step Problem Solving
Step-by-Step problem solving is crucial for understanding mathematical concepts deeply. Let's recap the steps used to solve the given equation: The original equation is
- Step 1 - Isolate the radical expression. The radical \( \sqrt{5-x} \) is already isolated.
- Step 2 - Square both sides of the equation: \( (\sqrt{5-x})^2 = 1^2 \), leading to \( 5 - x = 1 \).
- Step 3 - Solve the linear equation. Isolate \( x \):
- Subtract 5: \( -x = -4 \)
- Multiply by -1: \( x = 4 \)
- Step 4 - Check the solution: Substitute \( x = 4 \) into the original equation to verify: \( \sqrt{5-4} = 1 \) simplifies to \( \sqrt{1} = 1 \), confirming the solution is correct.