Understanding the Two Solutions of 3x^(1/2) = x^(1/2)

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The equation 3√x = √x simplifies to 2√x = 0, leading to the conclusion that x = 0 is the only valid solution. The discussion highlights confusion over the presence of 1/3 as a potential solution, which is shown to be incorrect upon substitution into the original equation. Squaring both sides results in 9x = x, reinforcing that x = 0 is the sole solution. Participants emphasize that any other value, such as 1/3, does not satisfy the equation. Ultimately, the consensus is that x = 0 is the only solution to the equation.
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3(x)^1/2 = (x)^1/2

How come there are two answers for this equation?? 0 and 1/3
 
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Your equation is
3 \sqrt{x} = \sqrt {x}

How is 1/3 a solution?
On substituting 1/3 in the Left Hand side you get \sqrt 3

On substituting 1/3 in the Right Hand side you get \frac {1}{\sqrt 3}

So LHS is not equal to RHS.
This means that 1/3 is not a solution
 
You should first square each side to get rid of the square root, giving you:

9x = x

And x = 0 should be your only answer
 
frozen7 said:
3(x)^1/2 = (x)^1/2

How come there are two answers for this equation?? 0 and 1/3
Erm:

3 \sqrt{x} = \sqrt{x}

3 \sqrt{x} - \sqrt{x} = 0

2 \sqrt{x} = 0

\sqrt{x} = 0

I think there is only one solution to that.
 
Phoenix314 said:
You should first square each side to get rid of the square root, giving you:

9x = x

And x = 0 should be your only answer

You don't need to. It should be clear that x = 0, otherwise you'd have 3 = 1.
 
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