SOLUTION: if 4 is subtracted from a number the result is equal to the square root of 2 more than the number

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Question 547012: if 4 is subtracted from a number the result is equal to the square root of 2 more than the number

Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
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VERY ambiguously worded statement.

Let be the number.

4 subtracted from the number is then

The square root of 2 more than the number could be either or , depending on whether you read it as

"{the square root of 2} more than the number" or "the square root of {2 more than the number}".

The picture becomes much clearer once you try to solve the first interpretation:



Add to both sides and you see what I mean.

So, it has to be the second interpretation:



Square both sides and collect like terms:



And then solve the factorable quadratic. Check both answers in the original equation -- you will find that you need to discard one of the roots.

John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it
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