How do you solve #2b = 3+ \sqrt { 2b + 3}#?

2 Answers
Jun 15, 2018

#b = 3#

Explanation:

#2b = 3 + sqrt(2b+3)#

First, subtract #color(blue)3# from both sides of the equation:
#2b quadcolor(blue)(-quad3) = 3 + sqrt(2b+3) quadcolor(blue)(-quad3)#

#2b - 3 = sqrt(2b+3)#

Square both sides :
#(2b-3)^2 = sqrt(2b+3)^2#

To simplify the left hand side, we know that:
cdn.virtualnerd.com

Following this image, it becomes:
#4b^2 - 12b + 9 = 2b+3#

Subtract #color(blue)3# from both sides :
#4b^2 - 12b +9 quadcolor(blue)(-quad3) = 2b + 3 quadcolor(blue)(-quad3)#

#4b^2 - 12b + 6 = 2b#

N ow subtract #color(blue)(2b)# from both sides :
#4b^2 - 12b + 6 quadcolor(blue)(-quad2b) = 2b quadcolor(blue)(-quad2b)#

#4b^2 - 14b + 6 = 0#

This is currently in the form #color(red)(a)x^2 + color(green)(b)x + color(blue)(c)#, where #color(red)(a = 4)#, #color(green)(b = -14)#, and #color(blue)(c = 6)#.

We have to factor this using two rules :
2 numbers must :

  • Add up to #color(green)b#, or #color(green)(-14)#
  • Multiply up to #color(red)a*color(blue)c#, or #color(red)(4)(color(blue)(6)) = 24#

Those two numbers are #-2# and #-12# .

So now:
#4b^2 - 2b - 12b + 6 = 0#

Factor by grouping :
#(4b^2 - 2b) + (-12b + 6) = 0#

#2b(2b - 1) -6(-2b - 1) = 0#

#(2b-6)(2b-1) = 0#

Since both expressions are multiplied to equal zero, that means we can set each expression equal to zero :

#2b - 6 = 0# and #2b - 1 = 0#

Simplify:
#2b = 6# #quadquadquad# and #quadquadquadquad2b = 1#

#b = 3# #quadquadquadquad# and #quadquadquadquadquadb = 1/2#

#--------------------#

We still need to check if they are really solutions by plugging them back into the original equation for #b# . First, let's check #3#:
#2b = 3 + sqrt(2b+3)#

#2(3) = 3 + sqrt(2(3)+3)#

#6 = 3 + sqrt(6+3)#

#3 = sqrt9#

#3 = 3#
Yes, this is a solution.

Now check #1/2#:
#2b = 3 + sqrt(2b+3)#

#2(1/2) = 3 + sqrt(2(1/2)+3)#

#1 = 3 + sqrt(1+3)#

#-2 = sqrt4#

#-2 != 2#
No, this is not a solution.

Therefore, #b = 3# .

Hope this helps!

Jun 15, 2018

#b=3#

Explanation:

Make the expression in the square roots on one side and other terms in the other side.

Then squaring on both sides

#(2b-3)^2=(sqrt(2b+3))^2#
#=>(2b-3)^2=2b+3#

Then expand the terms

#4b^2-12b+9=2b+3#

Take all terms of the equation to one side

#4b^2-12b-2b+9-3=0#
#=>4b^2-14b+6=0#

Then factorize the equation

#(2b-1)(b-3)=0#

After that solve

  1. #2b-1=0=>b=1/2#

  2. #b-3=0=>b=3#

So we got two value for #'b'# as #1/2and 3 #

Check whether they are correct by substituting them in the given equation.

  1. SUBSTITUTING " #color(red)(1/2# " in the equation

#2(1/2)=3+sqrt(2(1/2)+3#
#=>1=3+sqrt(4)#
#1=3+|2|#
#=>1=3+2#

#=>1=5# which is absurd

So #1/2# cannot be the answer

2.SUBSTITUTING "#color(red)(3)#" in the equation

#2(3)=3+sqrt(2(3)+3#
#=>6=3+sqrt9#
#6=6#

Hence #b=3# is the solution

Here is the link how to factor a equation
1.
How do you factor the expression #x^2-12x+27#?

2.How to factor any quadratic equation

#color(blue)(NOTE)#

Some people consider #sqrt(x^2)=+-x#, but it is wrong

In fact #sqrt(x^2)=|x|(# Absolute value of#'x'#)

Introduction to Absolute value function