Educator

Solving Radical Equations

• A radical equation is an equation that contains radicals with variables in the radicand.

• To solve a radical equation, isolate the radical on one side of the equation and then square both sides of the equation. This will eliminate at least one radical. If a radical remains in the new equation, repeat the process.

• An extraneous solution is a value which produces a negative radicand in one or more of the radicals in the original equation. Check all potential solutions in the original equation. Exclude extraneous values from the solution set.