25
AssignmentLong Text

Radical Equations and Extraneous Roots

Question 25 • FL-1200700-Mathematics for College Algebra MIS

Luca solved an equation as shown, and verified that his solution was correct.Explain what Luca’s error is and why his answer is not completely correct.

Answer

Answer:

Luca incorrectly squares the right side: (√(x − 3) + 1)² includes the cross term 2√(x − 3), which he omitted. This causes him to miss the other solution, x = 7. Both x = 3 and x = 7 satisfy the original equation, so his answer is not complete.