When an equation contains an x^2 term and a constant, it can be solved using the square root method. The square root method makes use of the fact that

\sqrt{x^2} = \vert x \vert \,.

To illustrate, we can solve the equation 2x^2-18=0 using the following three steps:

  1. Isolate the x^2 on one side of the equation: \begin{align} 2x^2-18 &= 0 \\[3pt] 2x^2 &= 18 \\[3pt] x^2 &= 9 \end{align}

  2. Take the square root of both sides of the equation \begin{align} \sqrt{x^2} &= \sqrt{9} \\[3pt] |x| &= 3 \end{align}

  3. Solve the resulting absolute value equation: \begin{align} x&=3 \quad \text{or} \quad x=-3 \end{align}

So, there are two solutions, x=3 and x=-3. We can write this more concisely as x= \pm 3, where the " \pm " symbol stands for "plus or minus."

FLAG

Solve 2x^2 - 27=5.

EXPLANATION

First, we isolate the x^2 on one side of the equation:

\begin{align*} 2x^2 - 27 &=5 \\[3pt] 2x^2 &= 32 \\[3pt] x^2 &= 16 \end{align*}

Then, we take the square root of both sides of the equation and solve the resulting absolute value equation:

\begin{align*} \sqrt{x^2} &= \sqrt{16} \\[3pt] \vert x \vert &= 4 \\[3pt] x &= \pm 4 \end{align*}

FLAG

Solve $q^2=25.$

a
$q = 4$
b
$q = \pm 5$
c
$q = \pm 625$
d
$q = \pm 15$
e
$q = 25$

Solve $2x^2 - 32 = 0.$

a
$x = \pm 8$
b
$x = \pm 4$
c
$x = 8$
d
$x = \pm 2$
e
$x = 16$

Solve $\dfrac{t^2}{4} -\dfrac 3 {2}=\dfrac{3}{4}.$

a
$t= \pm \dfrac 3 {4}$
b
$t= \dfrac 1 {4}$
c
$t=\dfrac{3}{2}$
d
$t= \pm 3$
e
$t= \pm 2$

Solve for p where 4p^2 - 11 = 14.

EXPLANATION

First, we isolate the p^2 on one side of the equation:

\begin{align*} 4p^2 - 11 &= 14 \\[5pt] 4p^2 &= 25 \\[5pt] p^2 &= \dfrac{25}{4} \end{align*}

Then, we take the square root of both sides of the equation and solve the resulting absolute value equation:

\begin{align*} \sqrt{p^2} &= \sqrt{\dfrac{25}{4}} \\[5pt] |p|&= \dfrac{ \sqrt{25} }{ \sqrt{4} } \\[5pt] |p|&= \dfrac{5}{2} \\[5pt] p&= \pm \dfrac{5}{2} \end{align*}

FLAG

If $25y^2 = 4,$ then $y=$

a
b
c
d
e

Solve $9y^2-16 = 0.$

a
$y = \pm \dfrac{3}{4}$
b
$y = \pm \dfrac{8}{3}$
c
$y = \pm \dfrac{4}{3}$
d
$y = \pm 16$
e
$y = 20$

Solve for $p$ where $10p^2 -\dfrac 1 {10}=0.$

a
$ p= \pm \dfrac 1 {10}$
b
$p= \dfrac 1 {10}$
c
$p= \pm 10$
d
$p= \pm 100$
e
$p= \pm \dfrac 1 {100}$

Find t if 2t^2 = 36.

EXPLANATION

First, we isolate the t^2 on one side of the equation:

\eqalign{ 2t^2 &= 36\\ t^2 &= 18 }

Then, we take the square root of both sides of the equation and solve the resulting absolute value equation:

\eqalign{ \sqrt{t^2} &= \sqrt{18} \\ \vert t \vert &= \sqrt{18} \\ \vert t \vert &= \sqrt{9 \cdot 2} \\ \vert t \vert &= \sqrt{9} \cdot \sqrt{2} \\ \vert t \vert &= 3\sqrt{2} \\ t &= \pm 3\sqrt{2} }

FLAG

Find $b$ if $b^2 - 1 = 7.$

a
$- 2\sqrt{2}$
b
$0, 2\sqrt{2}$
c
$\pm 2\sqrt{2}$
d
$\pm 3\sqrt{2}$
e
$ 2\sqrt{2}$

Solve the equation $53 -z^2 = 3.$ Express your final answer in its simplest form.

a
b
c
d
e

Find $p$ if $p^2+\dfrac{3}{2}=\dfrac{5}{3}.$

a
$p=\pm \dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{3}}$
b
$p=\dfrac{1}{6}$
c
$p=\pm \dfrac1{\sqrt{6}}$
d
$p=\pm \dfrac{1}{6}$
e
$p=\pm \sqrt6$
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