College Algebra (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321979478
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-947-6

Chapter 1 - Section 1.4 - Radical Equations; Equations Quadratic in Form; Factorable Equations - 1.4 Assess Your Understanding - Page 117: 31

Answer

Solution set: $\{1,5\}$

Work Step by Step

$\sqrt{3x+1}-\sqrt{x-1}=2$ Add $\sqrt{x-1}$ to both sides $\sqrt{3x+1}=2+\sqrt{x-1}$ Square both sides $(\sqrt{3x+1})^{2}=(2+\sqrt{x-1})^{2}$...Apply $(a+b)^{2}=a^{2}+2ab+b^{2}$ $3x+1=4+4\sqrt{x-1}+(x-1)$ $2x-2=4\sqrt{x-1}$ Square both sides $4x^{2}-8x+4=16(x-1)$ $4x^{2}-8x+4=16x-16$ $4x^{2}-24x+20=0$ $x^{2}-6x+5=0$ $(x-1)(x-5)=0$ Testing $x=1$ $\sqrt{3(1)+1}-\sqrt{1-1}=2-0=2$ ... $1$ is a solution. Testing $x=5$ $\sqrt{3(5)+1}-\sqrt{5-1}=4-2=2$ ... $5$ is a solution. Solution set: $\{1,5\}$
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