Question

Use a symbolic method to solve each equation. Show each solution exactly as a rational or a radical expression

Answer 1

$x\text{ = 1+}\sqrt[]{17}\text{ or 1-}\sqrt[]{17}$

Here, we want solve for the value of x

We proceed as follows;

Firstly, we divide both sides by the minus sign

$(x-1)^2\text{ = 17}$

Now, we find the square roots of both sides;

$\begin{gathered} (x-1)\text{ = }\pm\sqrt[]{17} \\ x\text{ = 1+}\sqrt[]{17}\text{ or 1-}\sqrt[]{17} \end{gathered}$