Question

How do you solve `sqrt(x+56)=16`?

Answer 1

Square both sides, then collect like terms, and you will have `x=200` as the answer.

Explanation:

A good strategy in solving algebraic equations is to try to "get rid" of the most complicated parts of the expression as soon as possible. Things like roots and denominators always bring complexity to the expression. You need to remove these as soon as the rules of algebra permit. Generally, you do this by performing the operation that is opposite to that which you are wishing to remove.

Here, we can remove the square root sign by squaring both sides. This brings us to

`x+56 = 256`

Now, just collect like terms, by subtracting 56 from each side

`x=200`