2.1 Solve : x2-12 = 0
Add 12 to both sides of the equation :
x2 = 12
When two things are equal, their square roots are equal. Taking the square root of the two sides of the equation we get:
x = ± √ 12
Can √ 12 be simplified ?
Yes! The prime factorization of 12 is
2•2•3
To be able to remove something from under the radical, there have to be 2 instances of it (because we are taking a square i.e. second root).
√ 12 = √ 2•2•3 =
± 2 • √ 3
The equation has two real solutions
These solutions are x = 2 • ± √3 = ± 3.4641 /This is the answer
