document.write( "Question 1068538: I am having a bit of an issue solving sqrt(3x+1)-sqrt(x-1)=2 or √3x+1-√x-1 = 2\r
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document.write( "This is what I have done so far:\r
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document.write( " √3x+1 = √x-1+2 \r
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document.write( "=> (√3x+1)2 = (√x-1+2)2\r
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document.write( "=> 3x+1 = x-1+4+4√x-1\r
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document.write( "=> -4√x-1 = -3x-1+x-1+4 or is it 4 √x+1 = -3x-1+x-1+4?\r
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document.write( "=> 4√x-1 = 2x-2 *This is where I get lost. I have seen this as -2x+2 as well. I am really confused at this point and need to get to the next steps.\r
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document.write( "Thank you for your help in advance.
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Algebra.Com's Answer #683762 by Boreal(15235)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! √3x+1 = √x-1+2 \n" ); document.write( "=> (√3x+1)^2 = 2+ sqrt (x-1) \n" ); document.write( "=> 3x+1 = 4 +4 sqrt(x-1)+x-1. I like to bring the smaller x to the side with the larger and keep it positive but one doesn't have to do that. \n" ); document.write( "=2x-2=4 sqrt(x-1). \n" ); document.write( "***square both sides***remember to square the 4, too. \n" ); document.write( "4x^2-8x+4=16(x-1)=16x-16 \n" ); document.write( "4x^2-24x+20=0 \n" ); document.write( "x^2-6x+5=0 \n" ); document.write( "(x-5)(x-1)=0 \n" ); document.write( "x=5 and 1 \n" ); document.write( "sqrt(16)-sqrt(4)=4-2=2 checks \n" ); document.write( "sart(4)-sqrt(0)=2 also checks. \n" ); document.write( " |