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A number multiplied by 12 is equal to the sum of the square root of that same number and 36. What is that number?

User Hamfri
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1 Answer

7 votes

Answer:

3.15

Explanation:

Let the unknown number be n.

Then 12n = √n + 36

We must eliminate the √ operator. One way to do this is to replace √n temporarily with x. Then 12n = 12x^2, and we have 12x^2 - x - 36 = 0. This is a quadratic with a= 12, b= -1 and c = -36

Solving for x using the quadratic formula:

1 plus or minus √(1 - 4(12)(-36)

x = ----------------------------------------------

2(12)

1 plus or minus √1729

x = -----------------------------------

24

1 plus or minus 41.58

x = -----------------------------------

24

Since x = √n, n must be a positive number. Thus,

1 + 41.58

x = ---------------- = 1.77

24

If x = 1.77 = √n, then n = 1.77^2 = 3.15.

Check: Is this true? A number multiplied by 12 is equal to the sum of the square root of that same number and 36.

12(3.15) = √3.15 + 36, or

37.8 = 1.77 + 36 = 37.77 This checks out.

The number is 3.15

User SeyyedKhandon
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