Question

Apply the square root principle to solve (x-5)^2-40=0

Answer 1

Answer: {5 ± 2√10, 5 - 2√10}

Step-by-step explanation: First isolate the binomial squared by adding 40 to both sides to get (x - 5)² = 40.

Next, square root both sides to get x - 5 = ± √40.

Notice that root of 40 can be broken down to 2√10.

So we have x - 5 = ± 2√10.

To get x by itself, add 5 to both sides to get x = 5 ± 2√10.

So our answer is just {5 ± 2√10, 5 - 2√10}.

As a matter of form, the number will always come before the

radical term in your answer to these types of problems.

In other words, we use 5 ± 2√10 instead of ± 2√10 + 5.