Solve the following quadratic equation using square

roots: (𝑥 + 12)
2 = 9

1 answer

To solve the quadratic equation \((x + 12)^2 = 9\) using square roots, follow these steps:

  1. Take the square root of both sides of the equation. Remember to consider both the positive and negative roots.

\[ x + 12 = \pm 3 \]

  1. Now, split this into two separate equations:

Case 1: \[ x + 12 = 3 \] Subtract 12 from both sides: \[ x = 3 - 12 \] \[ x = -9 \]

Case 2: \[ x + 12 = -3 \] Subtract 12 from both sides: \[ x = -3 - 12 \] \[ x = -15 \]

  1. The solutions to the equation \((x + 12)^2 = 9\) are: \[ x = -9 \quad \text{and} \quad x = -15 \]

Therefore, the final answers are \(x = -9\) and \(x = -15\).