Question

find two numbers if the second number equals 4 less than the square of the first number and their sum is 38.

Answer 1

\sqrt{x} - 4 = 38

38 + 4 = 42

42^2 because the opposite of square root is exponent.
42^2 = 42 x 42 = 1764 = X

Check your work:
/sqrt{1764} - 4 = 38

/sqrt{1764} = 42

42 - 4 = 38

X = 1764

Hopefully this helps!