Question 27124
Solve:

{{{sqrt(3x-1) = 5}}} Square both sides of the equation.
{{{3x-1 = 25}}} Add 1 to both sides.
{{{3x = 26}}} Divide both sides by 3
{{{x = 26/3}}} = 8 2/3

Or did you really mean:

{{{sqrt(3x) - 1 = 5}}} ?  If so, then first add 1 to both sides.
{{{sqrt(3x) = 6}}} Now square both sides.
{{{3x = 36}}} Divide both sides by 3.
{{{x = 12}}}

If the second case is the problem, then you should have written:  sqrt(3x) - 1 = 5