We have solved linear equations, rational equations, and quadratic equations using several methods. However, there are many other types of equations, and we will investigate a few more types in this section. We will look at equations involving rational exponents, polynomial equations, radical equations, absolute value equations, equations in quadratic form, and some rational equations that can be transformed into quadratics. Solving any equation, however, employs the same basic algebraic rules. We will learn some new techniques as they apply to certain equations, but the algebra never changes.
Rational exponents are exponents that are fractions, where the numerator is a power and the denominator is a root. For example,is another way of writingis another way of writingThe ability to work with rational exponents is a useful skill, as it is highly applicable in calculus.
We can solve equations in which a variable is raised to a rational exponent by raising both sides of the equation to the reciprocal of the exponent. The reason we raise the equation to the reciprocal of the exponent is because we want to eliminate the exponent on the variable term, and a number multiplied by its reciprocal equals 1. For example,and so on.
A rational exponent indicates a power in the numerator and a root in the denominator. There are multiple ways of writing an expression, a variable, or a number with a rational exponent:
Evaluate
Whether we take the root first or the power first depends on the number. It is easy to find the cube root of 8, so rewriteas
Evaluate
Solve the equation in which a variable is raised to a rational exponent:
The way to remove the exponent on x is by raising both sides of the equation to a power that is the reciprocal ofwhich is
Solve the equation
Solve
This equation involves rational exponents as well as factoring rational exponents. Let us take this one step at a time. First, put the variable terms on one side of the equal sign and set the equation equal to zero.
Now, it looks like we should factor the left side, but what do we factor out? We can always factor the term with the lowest exponent. RewriteasThen, factor outfrom both terms on the left.
Where didcome from? Remember, when we multiply two numbers with the same base, we add the exponents. Therefore, if we multiplyback in using the distributive property, we get the expression we had before the factoring, which is what should happen. We need an exponent such that when added toequalsThus, the exponent on x in the parentheses is
Let us continue. Now we have two factors and can use the zero factor theorem.
The two solutions are
Solve:
We have used factoring to solve quadratic equations, but it is a technique that we can use with many types of polynomial equations, which are equations that contain a string of terms including numerical coefficients and variables. When we are faced with an equation containing polynomials of degree higher than 2, we can often solve them by factoring.
A polynomial of degree n is an expression of the type
where n is a positive integer andare real numbers and
Setting the polynomial equal to zero gives a polynomial equation. The total number of solutions (real and complex) to a polynomial equation is equal to the highest exponent n.
Solve the polynomial by factoring:
First, set the equation equal to zero. Then factor out what is common to both terms, the GCF.
Notice that we have the difference of squares in the factorwhich we will continue to factor and obtain two solutions. The first term,generates, technically, two solutions as the exponent is 2, but they are the same solution.
The solutions areand
We can see the solutions on the graph in [link]. The x-coordinates of the points where the graph crosses the x-axis are the solutions--the x-intercepts. Notice on the graph that at the solutionthe graph touches the x-axis and bounces back. It does not cross the x-axis. This is typical of double solutions.
Solve by factoring:
Solve a polynomial by grouping:
This polynomial consists of 4 terms, which we can solve by grouping. Grouping procedures require factoring the first two terms and then factoring the last two terms. If the factors in the parentheses are identical, we can continue the process and solve, unless more factoring is suggested.
The grouping process ends here, as we can factor using the difference of squares formula.
The solutions areandNote that the highest exponent is 3 and we obtained 3 solutions. We can see the solutions, the x-intercepts, on the graph in [link].
We looked at solving quadratic equations by factoring when the leading coefficient is 1. When the leading coefficient is not 1, we solved by grouping. Grouping requires four terms, which we obtained by splitting the linear term of quadratic equations. We can also use grouping for some polynomials of degree higher than 2, as we saw here, since there were already four terms.
Radical equations are equations that contain variables in the radicand (the expression under a radical symbol), such as
Radical equations may have one or more radical terms, and are solved by eliminating each radical, one at a time. We have to be careful when solving radical equations, as it is not unusual to find extraneous solutions, roots that are not, in fact, solutions to the equation. These solutions are not due to a mistake in the solving method, but result from the process of raising both sides of an equation to a power. However, checking each answer in the original equation will confirm the true solutions.
An equation containing terms with a variable in the radicand is called a radical equation.
Given a radical equation, solve it.
Solve
The radical is already isolated on the left side of the equal side, so proceed to square both sides.
We see that the remaining equation is a quadratic. Set it equal to zero and solve.
The proposed solutions areandLet us check each solution back in the original equation. First, check
This is an extraneous solution. While no mistake was made solving the equation, we found a solution that does not satisfy the original equation.
Check
The solution is
Solve the radical equation:
extraneous solution
Solve
As this equation contains two radicals, we isolate one radical, eliminate it, and then isolate the second radical.
Use the perfect square formula to expand the right side:
Now that both radicals have been eliminated, set the quadratic equal to zero and solve.
The proposed solutions areandCheck each solution in the original equation.
One solution is
Check
The only solution isWe see thatis an extraneous solution.
Solve the equation with two radicals:
extraneous solution
Next, we will learn how to solve an absolute value equation. To solve an equation such aswe notice that the absolute value will be equal to 8 if the quantity inside the absolute value bars isorThis leads to two different equations we can solve independently.
Knowing how to solve problems involving absolute value functions is useful. For example, we may need to identify numbers or points on a line that are at a specified distance from a given reference point.
The absolute value of x is written asIt has the following properties:
For real numbersandan equation of the formwithwill have solutions whenorIfthe equationhas no solution.
An absolute value equation in the formhas the following properties:
Given an absolute value equation, solve it.
Solve the following absolute value equations:
(a)
Write two equations and solve each:
The two solutions are
(b)
There is no solution as an absolute value cannot be negative.
(c)
Isolate the absolute value expression and then write two equations.
There are two solutions:
(d)
The equation is set equal to zero, so we have to write only one equation.
There is one solution:
Solve the absolute value equation:
There are many other types of equations in addition to the ones we have discussed so far. We will see more of them throughout the text. Here, we will discuss equations that are in quadratic form, and rational equations that result in a quadratic.
Equations in quadratic form are equations with three terms. The first term has a power other than 2. The middle term has an exponent that is one-half the exponent of the leading term. The third term is a constant. We can solve equations in this form as if they were quadratic. A few examples of these equations includeandIn each one, doubling the exponent of the middle term equals the exponent on the leading term. We can solve these equations by substituting a variable for the middle term.
If the exponent on the middle term is one-half of the exponent on the leading term, we have an equation in quadratic form, which we can solve as if it were a quadratic. We substitute a variable for the middle term to solve equations in quadratic form.
Given an equation quadratic in form, solve it.
Solve this fourth-degree equation:
This equation fits the main criteria, that the power on the leading term is double the power on the middle term. Next, we will make a substitution for the variable term in the middle. LetRewrite the equation in u.
Now solve the quadratic.
Solve each factor and replace the original term for u.
The solutions areand
Solve using substitution:
Solve the equation in quadratic form:
This equation contains a binomial in place of the single variable. The tendency is to expand what is presented. However, recognizing that it fits the criteria for being in quadratic form makes all the difference in the solving process. First, make a substitution, lettingThen rewrite the equation in u.
Solve using the zero-factor property and then replace u with the original expression.
The second factor results in
We have two solutions:
Solve:
Earlier, we solved rational equations. Sometimes, solving a rational equation results in a quadratic. When this happens, we continue the solution by simplifying the quadratic equation by one of the methods we have seen. It may turn out that there is no solution.
Solve the following rational equation:
We want all denominators in factored form to find the LCD. Two of the denominators cannot be factored further. However,Then, the LCD isNext, we multiply the whole equation by the LCD.
In this case, either solution produces a zero in the denominator in the original equation. Thus, there is no solution.
Solve
is not a solution.
Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with different types of equations.
In a radical equation, what does it mean if a number is an extraneous solution?
This is not a solution to the radical equation, it is a value obtained from squaring both sides and thus changing the signs of an equation which has caused it not to be a solution in the original equation.
Explain why possible solutions must be checked in radical equations.
Your friend tries to calculate the valueand keeps getting an ERROR message. What mistake is he or she probably making?
He or she is probably trying to enter negative 9, but taking the square root ofis not a real number. The negative sign is in front of this, so your friend should be taking the square root of 9, cubing it, and then putting the negative sign in front, resulting in
Explain whyhas no solutions.
Explain how to change a rational exponent into the correct radical expression.
A rational exponent is a fraction: the denominator of the fraction is the root or index number and the numerator is the power to which it is raised.
For the following exercises, solve the rational exponent equation. Use factoring where necessary.
For the following exercises, solve the following polynomial equations by grouping and factoring.
For the following exercises, solve the radical equation. Be sure to check all solutions to eliminate extraneous solutions.
For the following exercises, solve the equation involving absolute value.
For the following exercises, solve the equation by identifying the quadratic form. Use a substitute variable and find all real solutions by factoring.
For the following exercises, solve for the unknown variable.
All real numbers
For the following exercises, use the model for the period of a pendulum,such thatwhere the length of the pendulum is L and the acceleration due to gravity is
If the acceleration due to gravity isand the period equals 1 s, find the length to the nearest cm (100 cm = 1 m).
If the gravity isand the period equals 1 s, find the length to the nearest in. (12 in. = 1 ft). Round your answer to the nearest in.
10 in.
For the following exercises, use a model for body surface area, BSA, such thatwhere w = weight in kg and h = height in cm.
Find the height of a 72-kg female to the nearest cm whose
Find the weight of a 177-cm male to the nearest kg whose
90 kg