Question

When can we use the method of extracting the square root in solving the roots of quadratic equations?

Answer 1

Ok, so

We can use this method if we have a quadratic equation of the form:

`x^2-c=0`

When c is a real number. In other words, we can extract the roots if we first isolate the leading term, x².

For example:

Find the roots of the quadratic equation:

`x^2-4=0`

Notice that all the "x terms" should be in a side of the equation and all the numbers should be in the other side.

This is:

`x^2=4`

Now, we could apply the square root property:

`x=\pm2`