Algebra Examples

$\sqrt{x^{2} - 144} = 0$

Step 1

To remove the radical on the left side of the equation, square both sides of the equation.

${\sqrt{x^{2} - 144}}^{2} = 0^{2}$

Step 2

Simplify each side of the equation.

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Step 2.1

Use $\sqrt[n]{a^{x}} = a^{\frac{x}{n}}$ to rewrite $\sqrt{x^{2} - 144}$ as ${(x^{2} - 144)}^{\frac{1}{2}}$ .

${({(x^{2} - 144)}^{\frac{1}{2}})}^{2} = 0^{2}$

Step 2.2

Simplify the left side.

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Step 2.2.1

Simplify ${({(x^{2} - 144)}^{\frac{1}{2}})}^{2}$ .

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Step 2.2.1.1

Multiply the exponents in ${({(x^{2} - 144)}^{\frac{1}{2}})}^{2}$ .

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Step 2.2.1.1.1

Apply the power rule and multiply exponents, ${(a^{m})}^{n} = a^{m n}$ .

${(x^{2} - 144)}^{\frac{1}{2} \cdot 2} = 0^{2}$

Step 2.2.1.1.2

Cancel the common factor of $2$ .

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Step 2.2.1.1.2.1

Cancel the common factor.

${(x^{2} - 144)}^{\frac{1}{2} \cdot 2} = 0^{2}$

Step 2.2.1.1.2.2

Rewrite the expression.

${(x^{2} - 144)}^{1} = 0^{2}$

Step 2.2.1.2

Simplify.

$x^{2} - 144 = 0^{2}$

Step 2.3

Simplify the right side.

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Step 2.3.1

Raising $0$ to any positive power yields $0$ .

$x^{2} - 144 = 0$

Step 3

Solve for $x$ .

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Step 3.1

Add $144$ to both sides of the equation.

$x^{2} = 144$

Step 3.2

Take the specified root of both sides of the equation to eliminate the exponent on the left side.

$x = \pm \sqrt{144}$

Step 3.3

Simplify $\pm \sqrt{144}$ .

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Step 3.3.1

Rewrite $144$ as $12^{2}$ .

$x = \pm \sqrt{12^{2}}$

Step 3.3.2

Pull terms out from under the radical, assuming positive real numbers.

$x = \pm 12$

Step 3.4

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

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Step 3.4.1

First, use the positive value of the $\pm$ to find the first solution.

$x = 12$

Step 3.4.2

Next, use the negative value of the $\pm$ to find the second solution.

$x = - 12$

Step 3.4.3

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

$x = 12, - 12$