QuestionAugust 27, 2025

26 Algebraically determine the solution to the equation below. sqrt (x-2)+x=4

26 Algebraically determine the solution to the equation below. sqrt (x-2)+x=4
26 Algebraically determine the solution to the equation below.
sqrt (x-2)+x=4

Solution
4.2(289 votes)

Answer

x = 3 Explanation 1. Isolate the square root Subtract x from both sides: \sqrt{x-2} = 4 - x. 2. Square both sides Square both sides to eliminate the square root: (\sqrt{x-2})^2 = (4-x)^2, resulting in x-2 = (4-x)^2. 3. Expand and simplify Expand (4-x)^2: 16 - 8x + x^2. So, x-2 = x^2 - 8x + 16. 4. Rearrange into a quadratic equation Move all terms to one side: x^2 - 9x + 18 = 0. 5. Solve the quadratic equation Factor the quadratic: (x-3)(x-6) = 0. Solutions are x = 3 and x = 6. 6. Verify solutions Substitute x = 3 into the original equation: \sqrt{3-2} + 3 = 4, true. Substitute x = 6 into the original equation: \sqrt{6-2} + 6 = 4, false.

Explanation

1. Isolate the square root<br /> Subtract $x$ from both sides: $\sqrt{x-2} = 4 - x$.<br />2. Square both sides<br /> Square both sides to eliminate the square root: $(\sqrt{x-2})^2 = (4-x)^2$, resulting in $x-2 = (4-x)^2$.<br />3. Expand and simplify<br /> Expand $(4-x)^2$: $16 - 8x + x^2$. So, $x-2 = x^2 - 8x + 16$.<br />4. Rearrange into a quadratic equation<br /> Move all terms to one side: $x^2 - 9x + 18 = 0$.<br />5. Solve the quadratic equation<br /> Factor the quadratic: $(x-3)(x-6) = 0$. Solutions are $x = 3$ and $x = 6$.<br />6. Verify solutions<br /> Substitute $x = 3$ into the original equation: $\sqrt{3-2} + 3 = 4$, true.<br /> Substitute $x = 6$ into the original equation: $\sqrt{6-2} + 6 = 4$, false.
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