Question 468002
sqrt{y+5} -1 = 3


Isolate the radical as step one.


sqrt{y + 5} = 3 + 1


sqrt{y + 5} = 4


We now square both sides of the equation.  We must square in order to remove the radical from the equation.


[sqrt{y + 5}]^2 = (4)^2


y + 5 = 16


y = 16 - 5


y = 11


We now plug y = 11 into the given question.

The goal is to get the same answer on both sides of the equation.


sqrt{y+5} -1 = 3

Let y = 11

sqrt{11+5} -1 = 3


sqrt{16} - 1 = 3


4 - 1 = 3

3 = 3...It checks!!


The right answer is y = 11.


Done!