Radical equations are equations in which a variable appears under a radical symbol ( \sqrt{\ \ } ). A radical symbol is used to denote square root, cube root, or nth root (like \sqrt{\ \ } , 3 ^3\sqrt{\ \ }3 , 4 ^4\sqrt{\ \ }4 , etc.). The horizontal line at the top of the radical is called the vinculum, and the number written in the little dent represents the "index." If the index isn't written, it's considered to be 2 (square root). The expression inside the radical symbol is called the radicand.
Radical equations can be categorized into two main types: equations with one radical and equations with two radicals. For equations with one radical, the process involves isolating the radical on one side and then raising both sides to the power of the index to eliminate the radical. For equations with two radicals, you first isolate one radical, eliminate it by raising both sides to the appropriate power, and then continue solving. It's essential to verify all solutions since the process of raising both sides to a power might introduce extraneous solutions.
Examples of Solving Radical Equations Example 1: Solving an Equation with One Radical Problem:Solve 2x+3−5=0\sqrt{2x + 3} - 5 = 02x+3−5=0.
Step-by-step solution:Step 1, Isolate the radical by adding 555 to both sides of the equation.
2x+3=5\sqrt{2x + 3} = 52x+3=5Step 2, Eliminate the radical by squaring both sides.
(2x+3)2=52(\sqrt{2x + 3})^2 = 5^2(2x+3)2=52 2x+3=252x + 3 = 252x+3=25Step 3, Solve the resulting equation to find xxx.
2x=25−3=222x = 25 - 3 = 222x=25−3=22 x=222=11x = \frac{22}{2} = 11x=222=11Step 4, Verify your answer by plugging it back into the original equation.
When x=11x = 11x=11: 2×11+3−5=25−5=5−5=0\sqrt{2 \times 11 + 3} - 5 = \sqrt{25} - 5 = 5 - 5 = 02×11+3−5=25−5=5−5=0 This matches our original equation, so x=11x = 11x=11 is the correct answer. Example 2: Solving an Equation with Two Radicals Problem:Solve x+5−x=2\sqrt{x + 5} - \sqrt{x} = 2x+5−x=2.
Step-by-step solution:Step 1, Isolate one of the radical terms.
x+5=2+x\sqrt{x + 5} = 2 + \sqrt{x}x+5=2+xStep 2, Square both sides to eliminate the first radical.
(x+5)2=(2+x)2(\sqrt{x+5})^2 = (2 + \sqrt{x})^2(x+5)2=(2+x)2 x+5=4+4x+xx + 5 = 4 + 4\sqrt{x} + xx+5=4+4x+xStep 3, Simplify the equation.
x+5=4+4x+xx + 5 = 4 + 4\sqrt{x} + xx+5=4+4x+x 5=4+4x5 = 4 + 4\sqrt{x}5=4+4x 1=4x1 = 4\sqrt{x}1=4xStep 4, Solve for $\sqrt{x}$ and then for xxx.
x=14\sqrt{x} = \frac{1}{4}x=41 Square both sides again: x=116x = \frac{1}{16}x=161Step 5, Verify your answer in the original equation.
When x=116x = \frac{1}{16}x=161: 116+5−116=8116−116=94−14=2\sqrt{\frac{1}{16} + 5} - \sqrt{\frac{1}{16}} = \sqrt{\frac{81}{16}} - \sqrt{\frac{1}{16}} = \frac{9}{4} - \frac{1}{4} = 2161+5−161=1681−161=49−41=2 This matches our original equation, so x=116x = \frac{1}{16}x=161 is the correct answer. Example 3: Checking for Extraneous Solutions Problem:Solve x+4=x−2\sqrt{x + 4} = x - 2x+4=x−2
Step-by-step solution:Step 1, Square both sides to eliminate the radical.
(x+4)2=(x−2)2(\sqrt{x + 4})^2 = (x - 2)^2(x+4)2=(x−2)2 x+4=x2−4x+4x + 4 = x^2 - 4x + 4x+4=x2−4x+4Step 2, Rearrange the equation into standard form.
x+4=x2−4x+4x + 4 = x^2 - 4x + 4x+4=x2−4x+4 0=x2−5x0 = x^2 - 5x0=x2−5x 0=x(x−5)0 = x(x - 5)0=x(x−5)Step 3, Find the solutions.
x=0x = 0x=0 or x=5x = 5x=5Step 4, Verify each solution in the original equation to check for extraneous solutions.
For x=0x = 0x=0: 0+4=0−2\sqrt{0 + 4} = 0 - 20+4=0−2
2=−22 = -22=−2 (This is false, so x=0x = 0x=0 is not a valid solution)
For x=5x = 5x=5: 5+4=5−2\sqrt{5 + 4} = 5 - 25+4=5−2
9=3\sqrt{9} = 39=3
3=33 = 33=3 (This is true, so x=5x = 5x=5 is the valid solution)
Comments(2)PPsychologistSimonNovember 4, 2025This glossary page on radical equations solving is great! It's helped my students grasp the steps easily. Thanks for the clear examples!NNatureLover87September 17, 2025I’ve used the Radical Equations Solving page to help my son with his algebra homework, and it’s super clear! The step-by-step examples really made a difference in understanding how to isolate and eliminate radicals.Explore More TermsAngles of A ParallelogramHypotenuse Leg TheoremFeet to Meters ConversionLinePlane FigureDiagramView All Math TermsRecommended Interactive LessonsFind the Missing Numbers in Multiplication Tables3Math3.OA.D.9Compare Same Numerator Fractions Using the Rules3Math3.NF.A.3dCompare Same Denominator Fractions Using Pizza Models3Math3.NF.A.3dFind Equivalent Fractions with the Number Line3Math3.NF.A.3.a, 3.NF.A.3.bSolve the subtraction puzzle with missing digits3Math3.NBT.A.2Mutiply by 23Math3.OA.C.7View All Interactive LessonsRecommended VideosAddition and Subtraction Equations1Math1.OA.D.7, 1.OA.D.8Add Three Numbers1Math1.OA.B.3Multiply Mixed Numbers by Whole Numbers4Math4.NF.B.4bCompare Fractions Using Benchmarks4Math4.NF.A.2Understand The Coordinate Plane and Plot Points5Math5.G.A.1Choose Appropriate Measures of Center and Variation6Math6.SP.B.5dView All VideosRecommended WorksheetsIdentify Groups of 10KMathK.NBT.A.1Describe Several Measurable Attributes of A ObjectKMathK.MD.A.1, K.MD.A.2Read and Interpret Bar Graphs1Math1.MD.C.4Understand and Estimate Liquid Volume3Math3.MD.A.2Subtract Mixed Number With Unlike Denominators5Math5.NF.A.1Percents And Decimals6Math6.RP.A.3View All WorksheetsRecommended Coloring PagesCroissant with a small jar of jam beside it1 – 2All SubjectsEaster basket with a chick surrounded by a few easter eggs1 – 2All SubjectsEaster egg with stars and a simple bunny outline next to it1 – 2All SubjectsSpaghetti with a slice of garlic bread on the side1 – 2All SubjectsA canyon with birds flying overhead1 – 2All SubjectsLeprechaun sitting under a rainbow with a pot of gold and a four-leaf clover3 – 4All SubjectsView All Coloring PagesRecommended BlogsSmart Standardized Test Prep: Evidence-Based Strategies for K–6 SuccessNovember 8, 2025Making General Chemistry Less Scary for K-6 StudentsOctober 14, 2025Help Your K-6 Student Learn Spanish FasterOctober 11, 2025How to Become Bilingual: A Guide for K-6 FamiliesOctober 9, 2025Understanding the ACT Reading Test: A Guide for K-6 EducatorsOctober 7, 2025Building AI Literacy Skills for Young LearnersOctober 7, 2025View All Blog PostsQUICK LINKSAbout UsPrivacy PolicyTerms of ServiceTOOLSHomework HelperGuide DesignerPodcast MakerPlan BuilderRESOURCESMath GlossaryEnglish GlossaryEnglish Language ArtsMathematicsScienceBook InsightsFun with WordsBlog© 2025 EDU.COM. All rights reserved.智能索引记录
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