Why Does 40x Appear in the Quadratic Equation Transformation?

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The discussion centers on the transformation of the equation 4x + 5 = 8√(1 - x) into a quadratic form, specifically addressing the origin of the term 40x in the resulting equation. Participants clarify that squaring both sides of the equation can introduce extraneous solutions, which may not satisfy the original equation. The correct transformation involves recognizing that (4x + 5)^2 equals 64(1 - x), leading to the quadratic equation 16x^2 + 40x + 25 = 64 - 64x^2. It is emphasized that while squaring can simplify the problem, one must verify which solutions are valid in the context of the original equation. Understanding the implications of squaring both sides is crucial in solving such equations accurately.
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Homework Statement


I can't determine where the 40x comes from.
From: 4x + 5 = 8√(1 - x)
To: 16x^2 +40x + 25 = 64 - 64x^2

Homework Equations


√1-x^2 = √1-x *√x+1

The Attempt at a Solution


4x + 5 = 8√(1-x)
4x^2 + 5^2 = (8 - 8x)*(8x + 8)
16x^2 +25 = 64 - 64x^2
 
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Tlark10 said:

Homework Statement


I can't determine where the 40x comes from.
From: 4x + 5 = 8√(1 - x)
To: 16x^2 +40x + 25 = 64 - 64x^2

Homework Equations


√1-x^2 = √1-x *√x+1

The Attempt at a Solution


4x + 5 = 8√(1-x)
4x^2 + 5^2 = (8 - 8x)*(8x + 8)
16x^2 +25 = 64 - 64x^2

What is (a+b)^2 equal to?
 
Math_QED said:
What is (a+b)^2 equal to?
I am not sure what you mean?
 
Math_QED said:
What is (a+b)^2 equal to?
(a+b)^2 = a^2 + b^2
 
Tlark10 said:
(a+b)^2 = a^2 + b^2

this is a frequently made mistake.

Well (a+b)^2 = (a+b)(a+b) = ...
Use distributivity
 
Math_QED said:
this is a frequently made mistake.

Well (a+b)^2 = (a+b)(a+b) = ...
Use distributivity
Ahhhh I see, thank you!
 
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Tlark10 said:

Homework Statement


I can't determine where the 40x comes from.
From: 4x + 5 = 8√(1 - x)
To: 16x^2 +40x + 25 = 64 - 64x^2

Homework Equations


√1-x^2 = √1-x *√x+1

The Attempt at a Solution


4x + 5 = 8√(1-x)
4x^2 + 5^2 = (8 - 8x)*(8x + 8)
What you wrote as a relevant equation doesn't apply here. ##[8\sqrt{1 - x}]^2 \ne (8 - 8x)(8x + 8)##
Tlark10 said:
16x^2 +25 = 64 - 64x^2
 
alternatively ##4x+5=8√(1-x)##, can be expressed as, ##(4x+5)^2=64(1-x)##
 
chwala said:
alternatively ##4x+5=8√(1-x)##, can be expressed as, ##(4x+5)^2=64(1-x)##

One should be careful because those might not be equivalent.
 
  • #10
ok elaborate please.
 
  • #11
chwala said:
ok elaborate please.

The first equation (the original one) has one solution for x. The second one has 2 solutions for x. We use indeed that => but to make sure you can use <=> you have to say that one solution for x is not valid.
 
  • #12
chwala said:
ok elaborate please.
The basic idea is that if you square both sides of an equation, the new equation might have solutions that don't satisfy the original equation. Here's a very simple example:

(Eqn 1) x = -2
Square both sides to get
(Eqn 2) ##x^2 = 4##
The first equation has -2 as its solution. The second equation has -2 and 2 as its solutions.
 
  • #13
agreed , we can have the two solutions as stated in post 12 ,but we can go ahead and state that one solution does not satisfy the equation, my take in post number 8, is to indicate that one way of solving such quadratics is by squaring both sides, then determine later which solutions satisfy the original equation.
 
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