Solving the Equation (x+5)^2 = 4
This equation represents a quadratic equation in disguise. Let's break down how to solve it:
Understanding the Equation
- The Square: The expression (x+5)^2 means that we are squaring the entire term (x+5).
- The Goal: Our goal is to find the value(s) of 'x' that satisfy the equation.
Solving for x
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Take the square root of both sides:
√((x+5)^2) = √4
This gives us:
x+5 = ±2
-
Isolate x:
- For the positive solution:
x + 5 = 2 x = 2 - 5 x = -3
- For the negative solution:
x + 5 = -2 x = -2 - 5 x = -7
- For the positive solution:
Solutions
Therefore, the solutions to the equation (x+5)^2 = 4 are x = -3 and x = -7.
Verification
We can verify our solutions by substituting them back into the original equation:
- For x = -3: (-3 + 5)^2 = 2^2 = 4. True
- For x = -7: (-7 + 5)^2 = (-2)^2 = 4. True
Both solutions satisfy the original equation.