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Ch. 1 - Equations and Inequalities
Lial - College Algebra 13th Edition
Lial13th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136881063Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 2, Problem 28

Solve each equation using the square root property. 48 - x2 = 0

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Start with the given equation: \$48 - x^2 = 0$.
Isolate the squared term by subtracting 48 from both sides: \(-x^2 = -48\).
Multiply both sides by \(-1\) to make the squared term positive: \(x^2 = 48\).
Apply the square root property, which states that if \(x^2 = a\), then \(x = \pm \sqrt{a}\): \(x = \pm \sqrt{48}\).
Simplify the square root if possible by factoring 48 into its prime factors and extracting perfect squares.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Square Root Property

The square root property states that if x² = k, then x = ±√k. This method is used to solve equations where the variable is squared and isolated on one side. Applying this property allows you to find both positive and negative roots of the equation.
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Isolating the Variable Term

Before applying the square root property, the equation must be rearranged so that the squared term stands alone on one side. This involves moving constants or other terms to the opposite side through addition or subtraction, simplifying the equation for easier solving.
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Simplifying Square Roots

After isolating the squared term and taking the square root, simplify the radical if possible. This includes factoring out perfect squares to write the root in simplest form, which helps in expressing the exact solutions clearly.
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