SOLUTION: i tried solving ( square root of x-1) = -2 and my answer was 5, the book says its 0. help please

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Question 260105: i tried solving ( square root of x-1) = -2 and my answer was 5, the book says its 0. help please
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
sqrt%28x-1%29=-2 Start with the given equation.


x-1=4 Square both sides.


x=4%2B1 Add 1 to both sides.


x=5 Combine like terms.


So the possible solution is x=5, but we need to check it.


sqrt%28x-1%29=-2 Start with the given equation.


sqrt%285-1%29=-2 Plug in x=5


sqrt%284%29=-2 Subtract


2=-2 Take the square root of 4 to get 2.


Since the equation is NOT true, this means that there are no solutions. Another way of saying that there are no solutions is to say that the solution set of the given equation is the empty set (the symbol stands for the empty set). I think this is what your book is telling you.