Intermediate Algebra: Solve (m + 3.41)^2 = 12.25

[Helen]

Use a calculator to solve. Round to the nearest hundredth.
This is the problem: (m + 3.41)^ (2) = 12.25
My answer: 0.09
Is my answer correct?

 

[stapel]

(m + 3.41)^ (2) = 12.25
My answer: 0.09

What did you get, when you plugged "0.09" in for "m" in the original equation? (And how did you arrive at only one solution, rather than two?)

Please be complete. Thank you!

Eliz.

 

[Helen]

Eliz,
Do you mean 0.09, - 6.91?
Is that correct? Helen

 

[o_O]

When you solve for m, you can always plug it back to the original equation to see if it works. If you got m = 0.09, does (0.09 + 3.41)[sup:1fn5gfml]2[/sup:1fn5gfml] = 12.25? Same for m = -6.91

 

[Helen]

,
I tried it your way and put in 0.09 + 3.41 + 3.41 and got 6.91.
I put in 6.91 + 3.41 + 3.41 and got 13.73
What am I doing wrong? Helen

 

[o_O]

?? If you plug in m = 0.09 into your equation, you get:

\(\displaystyle (0.09 + 3.41)^{2} \quad \mbox{not} \quad 0.09 + 3.41 + 3.41\)

Do you know what the exponent means? I'm pretty sure you do considering the problems you've posted so far ...

And you got -6.91 for the other solution to m (the negative sign).

 

[stapel]

Eliz, Do you mean 0.09, - 6.91? Is that correct? Helen

How did you obtain these values? What did you get when you plugged them back into the original equation?

It would be very helpful if you showed you work and reasoning, as it is difficult to determine what you might be doing wrong when we don't know what you're doing.

Thank you!

Eliz.

 

[Helen]

, Liz,
This is what I originally did.
(12.25 radical) = 3.5
3.5 - 3.41 = 0.09.
That is where I got stuck.

 

[stapel]

This is what I originally did.
(12.25 radical) = 3.5....

I'm sorry, but I don't know what this means...? :shock:

You were given the following equation:

. . . . .(m + 3.41)[sup:3k9pwbq9]2[/sup:3k9pwbq9] = 12.25

...and told to solve, finding decimal approximations for the final solutions. How did you use "12.25 sqrt[ ] = 3.5" to solve the above equation? How did you arrive at "3.5 - 3.41 = 0.09"? :?:

I'm sorry to be so dense, but I'm afraid I can't figure out what you're doing. For instance, the general process was displayed for you in one of your threads on a similar exercise, so I know you're aware of the necessary steps. But I can't fathom how what you've posted relates...?

Please reply showing all of your work and reasoning. Thank you!

Eliz.

 

[Denis]

,
I tried it your way and put in 0.09 + 3.41 + 3.41 and got 6.91.
I put in 6.91 + 3.41 + 3.41 and got 13.73
What am I doing wrong? Helen

Helen, you were told to CHECK both values:
"(0.09 + 3.41)^2 = 12.25? Same for m = -6.91"

.09 + 3.41 = 3.5, right? So:
3.5^2 = 12.25
12.25 = 12.25 : ok?

(-6.91 + 3.41)^2 = 12.25
3.5^2 = 12.25
12.25 = 12.25

That's all you needed to do.

AND please start using sqrt(n) instead of radical n

 

[Helen]

Denis,
Thank you for the help and advice. I will try that. Helen