How do you solve #(x - 5)^2 = 2#?

1 Answer
Sep 8, 2016

#x = sqrt2+5 = 6.414#

#x= -sqrt2 +5 = 3.586#

Explanation:

Usually we would multiply out the bracket and make the whole equation equal to 0.

However, this is a special case because there is no x-term, so we can leave it as it is and just find the square root of both sides.

#(x-5)^2 = 2#

#x-5 = +-sqrt2#

#x = sqrt2+5 = 6.414#

#x= -sqrt2 +5 = 3.586#