Question 24998
1. No, sqrt[(-3)^2] is not -3
2. a. x-sqrt(x) =0
      x = sqrt (x)
Square both sides to get:
    x^2 = x
    x^2-x=0
   x(x-1)=0
   x =0 or x=1
  b. That's a good way to solve an equation. Graph the 
left side of the equation, i.e. y=x and the right side
y=sqrtx and see where they intersect. The x-value of the
points of intersection will be the potential answers to 
the problem.  It is possible that a particular answer 
will be extraneous so potential answers need to be checked
in the original equation.

Cheers,
Stan H.