SOLUTION: I get really lost on square roots and simplifying them for example (3h-7)^2 = 32 then 3h-7= or- the square root of 32, then 3h=7 +or- the square root of 32, which is h= 7 +or- the

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: I get really lost on square roots and simplifying them for example (3h-7)^2 = 32 then 3h-7= or- the square root of 32, then 3h=7 +or- the square root of 32, which is h= 7 +or- the      Log On


   

Question 11519: I get really lost on square roots and simplifying them
for example (3h-7)^2 = 32 then 3h-7= or- the square root of 32, then 3h=7 +or- the square root of 32, which is h= 7 +or- the square root of 32. Here is where I get extremly lost: how does h=7+or- the square root of 32 become: h= 7 +or- 4 the square root of 2 over 3 Please explain this last step to me. If I can understand why this happens then maybe I'll understand what is going on. I have been on this particular problem for two weeks and no one every puts it in terms I can understand. Why and how does this happen.
-Sarah
Answer by askmemath(368) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Square root of a number N is a number n which when multiplied by itself will give you back N
nxn = N
e.g.
5x5 = 25 so square root of 25 is 5
6x6 = 36 so sq root of 36 = 6
49 = 7x7 so 7 is the sq root of 49
Now sq root of 32:
32 = 4x8
8 = 4x2
32 = 4x4x2
Sq root of this = 4Root(2)
So h = 7 +or - 4Root(2)