4.

4 Equations
involving a radical
 p
equations involving a radical Equations of the type n
f (x) = g(x)

The natural domain D in which to study such an equation

includes the restriction f (x) 0.
p p
n
• 8a, b 0 n
a = b , a=b
(
p g(x) 0,
n
f (x) = g(x) , (equivalence)
f (x) = g(x)n

A common error is to assert

p
n
f (x) = g(x) , f (x) = g(x)n .

When n is even, f (x) = g(x)n will generally admit more

solutions, those for which g(x) < 0.
 p
example Solve x+3 = x+1

1) Domain: D = [ 3, +1[ need x 1

2) Equivalence: (
p x+1 0,
x 2 D, x + 3 = x + 1 ,
x + 3 = (x + 1)2 .

x + 3 = (x + 1)2 , x2 + x 2 = 0 , x = 1 or x = 2

3) Compatibility: reject 2, but 1 okay

p
4) Check: 1 + 3 = 1 + 1 √

5) Conclusion: S = {1}
the insensitive approach (ignore the domain)
p
example Solve x + 5x + 19 = 1
p p
x + 5x + 19 = 1 =) 5x + 19 = 1 x
2 2
=) 5x + 19 = ( 1 x) = 1 + 2x + x
2
=) x 3x 18 = 0
=) (x 6)(x + 3) = 0
=) x = 6 or x = 3 a necessary condition
⇥
Check x = 6: 6 + 5 · 6 + 19 = 1 ? No
p
Check x = 3: 3 + 5 · ( 3) + 19 = 1 ?
p
3 + 4 = 1 ? Yes
The solution set S is { 3}
the domain-sensitive approach can save time
p
example Solve 2x 1= x

Domain: D = [1/2, +1[

We also need x 0

=) no solutions

Note: squaring does lead to a (false) possibility

example (interchanging parameters)
For small oscillations of a pendulum of length L, the period T
of oscillation is given by the formula
s
L
T = 2 ,
g
where g is a gravitational constant. Express L in terms of T .
s s
L L all the quantities
T = 2 =) 2 = T
g g are strictly positive
L
2 L 2
4 · = T
g
gT 2
L = 2
4