SOLUTION: Problem: sqrt (x+3) = -5 Attempted Solution: x+3 = 25 x=22 when checking: 5 does not equal -5

Question 307350: Problem: sqrt (x+3) = -5
Attempted Solution:
x+3 = 25
x=22
when checking: 5 does not equal -5
Answer by rapaljer(4671) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Whenever you solve an equation by SQUARING both sides of an equation, you MUST CHECK the solution to make sure that it works. The solutions obtained by squaring both sides are NOT guaranteed. Actually, the way this problem is originally stated, you have a square root equal to a NEGATIVE. In the real numbers, this CANNOT be, so there is automatically NO SOLUTION!!

Dr. Robert J. Rapalje, Retired
Seminole State College of Florida
Altamonte Springs Campus

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