Solving Radical Equations

A radical equation is an equation in which a variable is contained within a radical (square root, cube root, etc.).

To solve a radical equation, isolate the radical on one side of the equation, then square both sides to eliminate the radical. Check for extraneous solutions afterward.

An extraneous solution is a solution that emerges from the process of solving an equation but does not satisfy the original equation.

x = 4

x = 13/2

x = 7

x = 4 (check for extraneous solutions).

Square both sides to eliminate the radical: x = 16.

Always check your solutions by substituting them back into the original equation.

x = 2 (check for extraneous solutions).