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MATHEMATICS
Quarter 2 – Week 8
Solving Radical Equations

Self-Learning Module
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY
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 LET’S EXPLORE YOUR UNDERSTANDING!
How can we apply our understanding of simplifying radicals to
solving radical equations? Why do we need to know how to solve
radical equations? Are radicals really needed in life outside the
study of Math? How can the understanding of radicals help us solve
problems in daily life?
In this lesson, we will address these questions and look at
some important real-life applications of radicals.

Activity 1: Let’s Recall!

Solve the given problem below.

A man walks 4 meters to the east going to school and then walks 9 meters
northward going to the church.

Questions:

1. How far is he from the starting point which is his house?

2. How did you arrive at the answer to the problem?

3. What important concepts/ skills have you applied to arrive at your

answer?

How did you find the activity? Did you recall the skills that you learned from
the previous topic? Are you now ready to proceed to the next part where you
can learn more about solving radical equations? Let’s go!

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY

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 LET’S FIRM UP YOUR UNDERSTANDING!
Your goal in the next section is to learn how to solve radical
equations and use this knowledge in solving real life problems
involving radical expressions. You will find out in the activities in
the next section about how radicals are used in solving real-life
problems. Before doing these activities, read and understand first
some important notes on the topic.

SOLVING RADICAL EQUATIONS

A radical equation is an equation in which the variable appears in a
radicand.

Examples of radical equations are: a) √𝑥 = 7

b) √𝑥 + 2 = 3
c) √2𝑥 − 3 = √𝑥 + 5

In solving radical equations, we can use the fact that if two numbers are
equal, then their squares are equal. In symbols; 𝑖𝑓 𝑎 = 𝑏, then 𝑎2 = 𝑏 2 .

Examples:

1. If √9 = 3 are equal, 2. If √𝑥 + 2 = 3 are equal,

2
2
then (√9) = (3)2 are equal. then (√𝑥 + 2) = (3)2 are
equal.
1 2
2
As a result, (92 ) = (3)2 . 1
As a result, [(√𝑥 + 2) ] = (3)2 .
2

2
92 = 9 2
(𝑥 + 2)2 = 9
9=9 𝑥+2 =9
𝑥 =9−2
𝑥=7
Analyze the illustrative examples below the try to define an extraneous root.

𝑥 − 6 = √𝑥 Checking:
1 𝑥=9
𝑥−6 = (𝑥)2 This is the only solution.
𝑥 − 6 = √𝑥
1 2
(𝑥 − 6)2 = [(𝑥)2 ] 9 − 6 = √9
2 3=3
(𝑥 − 6)2 = 𝑥2
Checking:
𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 36 = 𝑥
2 𝑥=4
𝑥 − 12𝑥 − 𝑥 + 36 = 0 Extraneous Root
𝑥 − 6 = √𝑥
𝑥 2 − 13𝑥 + 36 = 0
(𝑥 − 9)(𝑥 − 4) = 0 4 − 6 = √4
𝑥 = 9, 𝑥 = 4 −2 ≠ 2

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 Important: If the squares of two number are equal, the numbers may or may
not be equal. Such as, (−3)2 = 32 , but −3 ≠ 3. It is therefore important to check
any possible solutions for radical equations. Because in squaring both sides of a
radical equation, it is possible to get extraneous solutions/roots.

To solve a Radical Equation:

1. Arrange the terms of the equation so that one term with radical is by itself
on one side of the equation.
2. Square both sides of the radical equation.
3. Combine like terms.
4. If a radical still remains, repeat steps 1 to 3.
5. Solve for the variable.
6. Check apparent solutions in the original equation.

Here are a few more examples:

√𝑥 = −3
1. √𝑥 = 7 2. 2
2 (√𝑥) = (−3)2
(√𝑥) = (7)2
𝑥=9
𝑥 = 49
Check:
Check:
If √𝑥 = −3 and 𝑥 = 9, then
If √𝑥 = 7 and 𝑥 = 49, then
√9 = −3
√49 = 7
3 = −3
7=7
It is FALSE true that 3 = −3.
This is true that 7 = 7.
Therefore, 𝑥 = 9 is not a solution. It
Therefore, 𝑥 = 49 is the
is an extraneous root. The equation
solution of √𝑥 = 7.
has no real solution.

3. 4. 3 + 5√𝑥 = 2𝑥
√𝑥 − 4 = 2
2 5√𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 3
(√𝑥 − 4) = (2)2 2
(5√𝑥) = (2𝑥 − 3)2
𝑥−4=4
𝑥 = 4+4 25𝑥 = 4𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 9
𝑥=8 4𝑥 2 − 37𝑥 + 9 = 0
Check: (4𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 9) = 0
If √𝑥 − 4 = 2 and 𝑥 = 8, then
4𝑥 − 1 = 0 𝑥−9 =0
√8 − 4 = 2 1 𝑥=9
√4 = 2 𝑥=
4
2=2 At this point, if checking will be done by
This is true that 2 = 2. 1
substituting the two values:𝑥 = and
Therefore, 𝑥 = 8 is a 1
4
𝑥 = 9, we will find out that 𝑥 = is an
solution of √𝑥 − 4 = 2 4
extraneous root and 𝑥 = 9 satisfies the
given radical equation.
Therefore, 𝑥 = 9 is a solution of
3 + 5√𝑥 = 2𝑥.

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 3
5. √3𝑥 − 1 = 2 6. √3𝑥 + 3 − √5𝑥 − 1 = 0
3 3
( √3𝑥 − 1) = (2)3 √3𝑥 + 3 = √5𝑥 − 1
2 2
3𝑥 − 1 = 8 (√3𝑥 + 3) = (√5𝑥 − 1)
3𝑥 = 9 3𝑥 + 3 = 5𝑥 − 1
𝑥=3 −2𝑥 = −4
Check: 𝑥=2
3
If √3𝑥 − 1 = 2 and 𝑥 = 3, Check:
then If √3𝑥 + 3 − √5𝑥 − 1 = 0 and 𝑥 = 2, then
3
√3 ∙ 3 − 1 = 2 √3 ∙ 2 + 3 − √5 ∙ 2 − 1 = 0
3
√9 − 1 = 2 √6 + 3 − √10 − 1 = 0
3
√8 = 2 √9 − √9 = 0
2=2 0=0
This is true that 2 = 2. This is true that 0 = 0.
Therefore, 𝑥 = 3 is a Therefore, 𝑥 = 2 is a solution of
3
solution. of √3𝑥 − 1 = 2. √3𝑥 + 3 − √5𝑥 − 1 = 0.

You are now knowledgeable on how to solve radical equation. Let us try to apply
that skill in solving problems. Consider this example below:

A woman walks 5 kilometers to the east going to school and then walks 9
kilometers northward going to the church. How far is she from the starting
point which is her house?

9 km

5 km

We can illustrate the problem for better understanding. Since the

illustration forms a right triangle, therefore we can apply 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 or
𝑐 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 to solve this problem.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY

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 Let: 𝑎 = 9 𝑚 and 𝑏 = 5 𝑚

Solution: Checking:
𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2
2
𝑐 = √𝑎 2 + 𝑏 2 (√106 𝑚) = (9𝑚)2 + (5𝑚)2
𝑐 = √(9𝑚)2 + (5𝑚)2 106𝑚2 = 81𝑚2 + 25𝑚2

𝑐 = √81𝑚2 + 25𝑚2 106𝑚2 = 106𝑚2

𝑐 = √106𝑚2 𝑐 = √81𝑚2 + 25𝑚2

𝑐 = √106 𝑚
𝑐 = 10.30 𝑚

Final Answer: The woman is √106 𝑚 or 10.30 𝑚 far from her house.

You may check out the following links in the internet to learn more about
solving radical equations:
• [Link]
• [Link]
• [Link]

Now that you already know how to solve radical equations and somehow
relate that skill to solving real-life problems, let us try to apply this understanding
by answering the following activities.

LET’S DEEPEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING!

Your goal in the next section is to apply your understanding to
solving radical equations. Towards the end of this module, you will be
encouraged to apply your understanding on radicals to solving real-life
problems.

Activity 2: Solve Me!

Solve the following radical equations. Express the final answers in simplest
form.

1. √𝑥 = 10 6. √𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥 − 7
4
2. √2𝑚 = 4 7. √𝑥 − 3 + √𝑥 = 3
3 3
3. −5√𝑏 = −50 8. √3𝑎 + 9 = √6𝑎 + 15
4
4. √𝑛 + 2 = 3 9. 4√5𝑚 − 20 = 16
4 3 3
5. √2𝑠 + 10 = 4 10. 2 √ℎ + 5 = 4√2ℎ − 15

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY

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 Activity 3: Problem-Solved!
Solve the problems below by analyzing the given statements and
answering the questions that follow:

1. Five times the square root of 1 less than a number is equal to 3 more than
the number. Find the number.

2. What number or numbers are equal to their own square roots?

3. The sum of a number and its square root is equal to 0. Find the number.

4. Find the number such that twice its square root is 14.

5. Find the number such that the square root of four more than five times
the number is 8.

LET’S TRANSFER YOUR UNDERSTANDING!

In the previous activity you were able to apply your
understanding of solving radical equations to solving real-life
problems that involve radicals. Let us put that understanding to
test by answering the next activity.

Activity 4: More Problems Here!

Solve the given problems then answer the questions that follow.

Juan is going to Nene’s house to do a school project. Instead of walking two

perpendicular streets to his classmate’s house, Juan will cut a diagonal path
through the city plaza. Juan is 13 meters away from Nene’s street. The distance
from the intersection of the two streets to Nene’s house is 8 meters.
Questions:
1. How would you illustrate the problem?
2. How far will Juan travel along the shortcut?
3. How many meters will he save by taking the shortcut rather than walking
along the sidewalks?
4. If one of the distance increases/decreases, what might happen to the
distance of the shortcut? Justify your answer.
5. What mathematical concepts did you use to solve the problem?

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY

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The previous activity dealt with the application of radicals to real-life
problems. Have you done well in answering the activity? Well then, it’s time
to share what you have learned and do this last activity.

Activity 5: Synthesis Journal

Fill-in the table below by answering the given question.

SYNTHESES JOURNAL
How can the
knowledge of radical
What interests me in What I learned in
equations help us in
this lesson / module this lesson / module
solving real-life
problems?

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
References
Merden L. Byant, et. al. 2014. Mathematics 9 Learner’s Material, FEP Printing
Corp., Philippines.
Zenaida B. Diaz, et. al. 2014. Next Century Mathematics 9, Phoenix Publishing
House, Philippines.

Website Links as References and for Learning Activities

[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
lesson-day-2/exponent-rules-v2-l2-negative-exponents-move-the-expression-to-a-
different-part-of-the-fraction
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]

Developed by: Pagal, Jennileth Marie M., Canduman NHS

Edited by: Lucero, Rochel C., Canduman NHS

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY

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 ANSWER KEY
Quarter 2- Week 8
Solving Radical Equations

Lesson 4: Solving Radical Equations

Activity 1: Let’s Recall

1. The man is √97 meters or approximately 9.85 meters or between 9 meters and
10 meters from his house.

Activity 2: Solve Me
1. x = 100
3. b = 100
5. s = 27
7. x = 4
6√5
9. m = ±
5

Activity 3: Problem Solved!

2. Numbers 0 and 1 are equal to their own square roots.
4. The number is 49.

Activity 4: More Problems Here!

2. Juan will travel √233𝑚 or approximately 15.26 m along the shortcut.
4. If none of the distances increases / decreases, the distance of the shortcut will
also increase or decrease respectively.

Activity 5: Synthesis Journal

Answers of the students may vary.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY

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 For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Division of Mandaue City

Plaridel St., Centro, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines 6014

Telephone Nos.: (032) 345 – 0545 | (032) 505 – 6337

E-mail Address: mandaue.city001@[Link]

Website: [Link]

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