I know when you want to remove division or multiplication in algebra, every term on the left and right side must be either multiplied or divided. For example: 2x + 12 = 20. Normally, people simplify by subtracting 12 from each side, but even if you don't, it still works by doing x + 12/2 = 20/2, which comes out to x + 6 = 10, take away 6 from both sides, and you get 4. However, this doesn't seem to work with squares or square-roots. For example: x^2 + 4 = 20. x + sqrt(4) = sqrt(20) doesn't work. If you simplify beforehand and do x^2 = 16, you get the right answer (4). Why doesn't my first example work? Is there some sort of special rule?
2007-09-19
19:30:18
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