Algebra I Recipe: Solving Radical Equations

Steps for Solving

1. Isolate the radical term on one side of the equation using inverse operations.
2. Square both sides of the equation to eliminate the radical.
3. Solve the remaining equation by a method we have already learned.
• Inverse operations
• Factoring (remember the x² term needs to be positive)
• Quadratic Formula
4. Check the solutions into the original equation OR into the equation where the radical is isolated.
• The numbers that produce true statements when checked are the solutions.
• If none of the numbers make true statements when checked, the answer is No Solution.