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Please, help me to solve this equation. No advanced math should be needed.

$$ 3x^2 - 4x + \sqrt{3x^2 - 4x - 6} = 18 $$

I'm clueless. It should be simple.

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    To simplify, let $z=3x^2-4x-6$. Then your equation is $z+\sqrt z=12$.2012-07-24
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    Denote by $y=\sqrt{3x^2-x-6}$2012-07-24
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    @DavidMitra Wow, that's super smart! I would've never thought of that! I'll try it!2012-07-24
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    @BeetleTheNeato Several answers provided below are smarter :)2012-07-24
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    What have you tried so far? Certainly the square root sign is a nuisance. Can you try to get rid of it?2012-07-24
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    I tried lots of things... I noticed that $3x^2 - 4x$ is repeated, so I tried to substitute it for a simpler variable. But it doesn't simplify anything, the numbers become unworkable without a calculator. I tried isolating the root and then squaring both sides, but then I'm left with a 4th degree polynomial expression... Anyway, I'll try what David suggested. Thanks!2012-07-24

3 Answers 3

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Put $u = 3x^2 - 4x$. Then the equation becomes $$ u + \sqrt{u - 6} = 18.$$ Once you solve for $u$ in the auxillary equation, you are left with a quadratic.

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    Two comments appeared whilst I was writing this. These methods will also work; we are all playing variations on a theme.2012-07-24
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No advanced math is needed.

  • Denote $u = \sqrt{3 x^2 - 4x -6}$.
  • Write the original equation in terms of $u$. You should get a quadratic equation.
  • Solve it.
  • For each root $u_\ast$ found, solve $3 x^2 - 4x -6 = u_\ast^2$.
  • Verify your solutions against the original equation and weed out extraneous solutions.
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Hint : set $u:= \sqrt{3 x^2-4x-6}$ then your equation becomes $u^2+6+u=18$ or $$u^2+u-12=0$$