Question

What method would you choose to solve the equation 2x^2-7=9

Answer 1

Here is one way to solve for x.

Step 1)  2x^2-7=9

Step 2)  2x^2-7+7=9+7

Step 3)  2x^2=16

Step 4)  (2x^2)/2=16/2

Step 5)  x^2=8

Step 6)  sqrt(x^2)=sqrt(8)

Step 7)  |x|=sqrt(8)

Step 8)  x=sqrt(8) or x=-sqrt(8)

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Below are explanations/reasons to each of the steps above.

Step 1) Original equation

Step 2) Add 7 to both sides

Step 3) Combine like terms

Step 4) Divide both sides by 2

Step 5) Simplify

Step 6) Apply the square root to both sides. The notation "sqrt" is shorthand for "square root"

Step 7) Use the rule that sqrt(x^2) = |x| for all real numbers x

Step 8) Use the rule that if |x| = k then x = k or x = -k for some fixed number k.

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The two solutions are
x = sqrt(8) or x = -sqrt(8)