SOLUTION: I am asked to perform the indicated operations, and simplify; however, I don't believe this question can be simplified. Am I wrong? (√2x-5)^2 I assume the only way to g

Algebra ->  Radicals -> SOLUTION: I am asked to perform the indicated operations, and simplify; however, I don't believe this question can be simplified. Am I wrong? (√2x-5)^2 I assume the only way to g      Log On


   

Question 1124962: I am asked to perform the indicated operations, and simplify; however, I don't believe this question can be simplified. Am I wrong?
(√2x-5)^2
I assume the only way to go about this is to break it apart:
(√2x-5)(√2x-5) but this only puts it back together.
Am I missing something? I cant believe they would ask a question without an answer.
Thank you!
Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, greenestamps:
Answer by ikleyn(52781) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
sqrt%28%282x-5%29%5E2%29 = |2x-5|.


Two vertical lines mean "take the absolute value".


Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


sqrt%285%5E2%29+=+sqrt%2825%29+=+5

But

sqrt%28%28-5%29%5E2%29+=+sqrt%2825%29+=+5

So if we write sqrt%28x%5E2%29+=+5, we can't tell whether x is 5 or -5.

In general, if A is any expression,

sqrt%28A%5E2%29 has two solutions -- A and -A. We can include both of those solutions by writing

sqrt%28A%5E2%29+=+abs%28A%29

So, in your problem,

sqrt%28%282x-5%29%5E2%29+=+abs%282x-5%29