Worked Solution & Example Answer:Solve the equation $x = \sqrt{x + 6}$, $x \in \mathbb{R}$. - Leaving Cert Mathematics - Question 5 - 2015
Step 1
Step 1: Rearranging the Equation
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Answer
Starting with the equation:\n\nx=x+6\n\nSquare both sides to eliminate the square root:\n\nx2=x+6
Step 2
Step 2: Forming a Quadratic Equation
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Answer
Rearranging gives us a standard quadratic form:\n\nx2−x−6=0
Step 3
Step 3: Factoring the Quadratic
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Answer
This can be factored as:\n\n(x−3)(x+2)=0
Step 4
Step 4: Finding the Roots
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Answer
Setting each factor to zero gives us the possible solutions:\n\nx−3=0⇒x=3\nx+2=0⇒x=−2
Step 5
Step 5: Checking for Extraneous Solutions
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We need to check each solution by substituting back into the original equation:\n\nFor x=3: \n3=3+6=9=3 (Valid)\n\nFor x=−2: \n−2=−2+6=4=2 (Not valid)\n\nThus, the only solution is x=3.
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