Problem

Solve the Rational Equation for x square root of 1-5x=1+ square root of 6-x

The given problem is asking to find the value of the variable x that satisfies the equation involving square roots. Specifically, the equation is \(\sqrt{1-5x} = 1 + \sqrt{6-x}\). To solve this equation, one must isolate the square root expressions, square both sides to eliminate the square roots, and then solve for x using algebraic methods. The solution process may involve simplifying the resulting equation, moving terms to one side to get a quadratic or linear equation, and checking the solution to ensure it does not produce extraneous roots due to the squaring process.

$\sqrt{1 - 5 x} = 1 + \sqrt{6 - x}$

Answer

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Solution:

Step 1:

Square both sides to eliminate the square root on the left side.

$(\sqrt{1 - 5x})^2 = (1 + \sqrt{6 - x})^2$

Step 2:

Expand and simplify both sides of the equation.

Step 2.1:

Convert the square root to a power.

$(1 - 5x)^{\frac{1}{2}} = (1 + \sqrt{6 - x})^2$

Step 2.2:

Simplify the left side by squaring the expression.

Step 2.2.1:

Square the expression inside the brackets.

$(1 - 5x)^{\frac{1}{2} \cdot 2} = (1 + \sqrt{6 - x})^2$

Step 2.2.2:

Cancel out the exponent of 2 with the square root.

$(1 - 5x)^1 = (1 + \sqrt{6 - x})^2$

Step 2.3:

Simplify the right side by expanding the binomial.

Step 2.3.1:

Expand using the binomial theorem.

$1 - 5x = (1 + \sqrt{6 - x}) \cdot (1 + \sqrt{6 - x})$

Step 2.3.2:

Apply the distributive property (FOIL method).

$1 - 5x = 1 \cdot 1 + 1 \cdot \sqrt{6 - x} + \sqrt{6 - x} \cdot 1 + \sqrt{6 - x} \cdot \sqrt{6 - x}$

Step 2.3.3:

Combine like terms and simplify.

$1 - 5x = 1 + 2\sqrt{6 - x} + (6 - x)$

Step 3:

Isolate the term with the square root.

Step 3.1:

Rearrange the equation.

$2\sqrt{6 - x} - x = 1 - 5x - 7$

Step 3.2:

Combine like terms.

$2\sqrt{6 - x} = -4x - 6$

Step 4:

Square both sides again to eliminate the square root on the left side.

$(2\sqrt{6 - x})^2 = (-4x - 6)^2$

Step 5:

Expand and simplify both sides of the equation.

Step 5.1:

Convert the square root to a power.

$(2(6 - x)^{\frac{1}{2}})^2 = (-4x - 6)^2$

Step 5.2:

Simplify the left side by squaring the expression.

Step 5.2.1:

Square the expression inside the brackets.

$4(6 - x)^{\frac{1}{2} \cdot 2} = (-4x - 6)^2$

Step 5.2.2:

Cancel out the exponent of 2 with the square root.

$4(6 - x)^1 = (-4x - 6)^2$

Step 5.3:

Simplify the right side by expanding the binomial.

Step 5.3.1:

Expand using the binomial theorem.

$24 - 4x = (-4x - 6) \cdot (-4x - 6)$

Step 6:

Solve the resulting quadratic equation for x.

Step 6.1:

Move all terms to one side.

$16x^2 + 48x + 36 = 24 - 4x$

Step 6.2:

Combine like terms.

$16x^2 + 52x + 12 = 0$

Step 6.3:

Factor the quadratic equation.

$4(4x^2 + 13x + 3) = 0$

Step 6.4:

Find the roots of the equation.

$x = -\frac{1}{4}, -3$

Step 7:

Check the solutions in the original equation to ensure they are valid.

$x = -3$

Knowledge Notes:

To solve the given rational equation involving square roots, we use the following mathematical concepts and techniques:

  1. Squaring both sides: This is used to eliminate square roots. However, we must be cautious as squaring can introduce extraneous solutions.

  2. Simplifying expressions: This involves using algebraic rules to rewrite expressions in a simpler form.

  3. Distributive property (FOIL method): This is used to expand binomials. For example, $(a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2$.

  4. Combining like terms: This is the process of adding or subtracting terms that have the same variable raised to the same power.

  5. Factoring quadratic equations: This involves rewriting the quadratic equation in a product form, if possible, to find its roots.

  6. Checking solutions: After finding potential solutions, we substitute them back into the original equation to verify that they do not result in undefined expressions or contradictions.

  7. Extraneous solutions: These are solutions that arise from the process of solving the equation but do not satisfy the original equation. They must be identified and excluded from the final answer.

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