SOLUTION: the square root of 2n-8=-3 the steps i have are (2n-8)^2=(-3)^2 thats step one step two:2n-8=-9 then i added eight and got 2n=-1 which makes n= -1/2 so i plugged in -1/2 into

Algebra ->  Radicals -> SOLUTION: the square root of 2n-8=-3 the steps i have are (2n-8)^2=(-3)^2 thats step one step two:2n-8=-9 then i added eight and got 2n=-1 which makes n= -1/2 so i plugged in -1/2 into      Log On


   

Question 196523This question is from textbook elementry and intermediate algebra
: the square root of 2n-8=-3
the steps i have are (2n-8)^2=(-3)^2 thats step one
step two:2n-8=-9 then i added eight and got
2n=-1 which makes n= -1/2 so i plugged in -1/2 into original equation and got
2(-1/2)-8= -9
that is wher i get lost because i do not know how to write my answer but my textbook says no real # solution???and my instructor said something about an extraneous solution i think i'm failing this course and will appreciate all help thanks tanya This question is from textbook elementry and intermediate algebra

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
sqrt%282n-8%29=-3 Start with the given equation.


%28sqrt%282n-8%29%29%5E2=%28-3%29%5E2 Square both sides


2n-8=%28-3%29%5E2 Square the square root to eliminate it


2n-8=9 Square -3 to get 9 (NOT -9). Note: this is where you made a mistake


2n=9%2B8 Add 8 to both sides.


2n=17 Combine like terms on the right side.


n=%2817%29%2F%282%29 Divide both sides by 2 to isolate n.




So the possible solution is n=17%2F2.


However, we need to check the possible solution.


Check:


sqrt%282n-8%29=-3 Start with the given equation.


sqrt%282%2817%2F2%29-8%29=-3 Plug in n=17%2F2


sqrt%2834%2F2-8%29=-3 Multiply


sqrt%2817-8%29=-3 Reduce


sqrt%289%29=-3 Subtract


3=-3 Take the square root of 9 to get 3


Since the both sides are clearly NOT equal, this means that n=17%2F2 is NOT a solution.


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Answer:


So there are no solutions.


Note: an extraneous solution is a "solution" that is introduced in the intermediate steps but does NOT satisfy the original equation (the only equation we care about)