Chapter 1: Problem 94
Find all real solutions of the equation. $$\sqrt{\sqrt{x-5}+x}=5$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The real solutions are \(x = 21\) and \(x = 30\).
Step by step solution
01
Isolate the Inner Square Root
To solve the given equation, start by isolating the inner square root. Rewrite the equation as \( \sqrt{\sqrt{x-5} + x} = 5 \). Square both sides to remove the outer square root: \( \sqrt{x-5} + x = 25 \).
02
Isolate the Inner Expression
Subtract \(x\) from both sides to further isolate the square root: \(\sqrt{x-5} = 25 - x\).
03
Square Both Sides Again
To eliminate the square root, square both sides of the equation: \(x - 5 = (25 - x)^2\).
04
Expand the Squared Term
Expand the expression on the right: \((25 - x)^2 = 625 - 50x + x^2\). The equation becomes \(x - 5 = x^2 - 50x + 625\).
05
Rearrange into a Quadratic Equation
Move all terms to one side of the equation to form a quadratic: \(x^2 - 51x + 630 = 0\).
06
Solve the Quadratic Equation
Use the quadratic formula \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\) with \(a = 1\), \(b = -51\), and \(c = 630\). Calculate: \(b^2 - 4ac = 51^2 - 4 \times 1 \times 630 = 2601 - 2520 = 81\). So, \(x = \frac{51 \pm \sqrt{81}}{2}\).
07
Simplify the Solutions
Since \(\sqrt{81} = 9\), the solutions are \(x = \frac{51 + 9}{2}\) and \(x = \frac{51 - 9}{2}\), which simplify to \(x = 30\) and \(x = 21\).
08
Verify the Solutions
Substitute \(x = 21\) and \(x = 30\) back into the original equation to verify. For both values, calculating \(\sqrt{\sqrt{x-5} + x} = 5\) confirms both satisfy the equation.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Square Roots
Square roots are a fundamental concept in mathematics, representing the operation of finding a number that, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number. In our equation \[\sqrt{\sqrt{x-5} + x} = 5\]the outer square root indicates that we must find a value such that when squared, equals the expression inside it.
When dealing with nested square roots, as seen here, we follow a methodical approach to eliminate them. First, we remove the outer square root by squaring both sides, which simplifies the equation to:\[\sqrt{x-5} + x = 25\]
Key points to remember about square roots:
When dealing with nested square roots, as seen here, we follow a methodical approach to eliminate them. First, we remove the outer square root by squaring both sides, which simplifies the equation to:\[\sqrt{x-5} + x = 25\]
Key points to remember about square roots:
- Squaring eliminates a square root, but ensure to balance the equation by applying the operation to both sides.
- Square roots return the principal (non-negative) square root.
- Always check if the square of the result returns the original number under the square root when verifying solutions.
Equation Solving
Equation solving consists of a series of logical steps to find the unknown values that satisfy the equation. In our approach to solve \[\sqrt{\sqrt{x-5} + x} = 5\]we carefully isolated terms and manipulated the equation to reveal solutions.
Key steps in solving equations:
Key steps in solving equations:
- Isolate terms: First, remove the outer and inner square roots to simplify the equation.
- Manipulate the equation: Squaring the equation twice reduced it to a form where it could be rearranged into a familiar quadratic equation \(x^2 - 51x + 630 = 0\).
- Apply formulas: Use the quadratic formula \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\) to find the unknown values.
- The formula helps find solutions by calculating based on coefficients \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\).
Verification of Solutions
Verification is a crucial step in solving equations to ensure the solutions are correct. For the equation \[\sqrt{\sqrt{x-5} + x} = 5\]we need to substitute back the solutions to check for validity.
Why verify solutions?
Why verify solutions?
- To ensure no computational errors were made.
- To confirm solutions satisfy the original condition.
- Especially important for equations involving squares and roots, as squaring can introduce extraneous solutions.
- Substitute \(x = 30\) back: Calculate the inner expression \(\sqrt{25},\) then the outer square root: \(5\). Since this matches the original equation's right side, \(x = 30\) is a valid solution.
- Substitute \(x = 21\) back: Similarly, verify if it satisfies the equation. It does meet the requirement as well.