# how to solve sqrt(x + 15) + sqrt(x) = 15 ?

#### richp123

##### New member
I have been away from my math pursuits for some time. I don't remember how to solve the following equation for x

sqrt(x + 15) + sqrt(x) = 15

Any suggestions are appreciated how to approach the solution for this equation.

#### richp123

##### New member
I vaguely remember the needing to use a quadratic equation and squaring both sides. I guess now my question is about using the quadratic formula. It's slowly coming back to me.

#### Greg

##### Perseverance
Staff member
$$\sqrt{x+15}+\sqrt{x}=15$$

Rearrange:

$$\sqrt{x+15}=15-\sqrt{x}$$

Square both sides:

$$x+15=225-30\sqrt{x}+x$$

Subtract $x$ from both sides:

$$15=225-30\sqrt{x}$$

Rearrange:

$$30\sqrt{x}=210$$

Divide both sides by 30:

$$\sqrt{x}=7$$

$$x=49$$

Does that help?

##### Well-known member
I have been away from my math pursuits for some time. I don't remember how to solve the following equation for x

sqrt(x + 15) + sqrt(x) = 15

Any suggestions are appreciated how to approach the solution for this equation.
alternatively

$\sqrt{x + 15} + \sqrt{x} = 15\cdots(1)$ (given)

we know $(x+15)- x = 15$ (identity)
or $(\sqrt{x + 15} + \sqrt{x}))(\sqrt{x + 15}- \sqrt{x}) = 15\cdots(2)$

deviding (2) by (1)

$\sqrt{x + 15} - \sqrt{x} = 1\cdots(3)$

add (1) and (3) to get

$2\sqrt{x + 15} = 16$

or $\sqrt{x + 15} = 8$ or $x+15=64$ or $x=49$

#### AshKetchum

##### New member
$$\sqrt{x+15}+\sqrt{x}=15$$

Rearrange:

$$\sqrt{x+15}=15-\sqrt{x}$$

Square both sides:

$$x+15=225-30\sqrt{x}+x$$

Subtract $x$ from both sides:

$$15=225-30\sqrt{x}$$

Rearrange:

$$30\sqrt{x}=210$$

Divide both sides by 30:

$$\sqrt{x}=7$$

$$x=49$$

Does that help?
Could you help me understand where the 30 comes from in $$x+15=225-30\sqrt{x}+x$$

#### Greg

##### Perseverance
Staff member
Hi AshKetchum and welcome to MHB!

$$(15-\sqrt x)^2=(15-\sqrt x)(15-\sqrt x)=15\cdot15-15\sqrt x-15\sqrt x+x=225-30\sqrt x+x$$

Does that help?

#### AshKetchum

##### New member
Hi AshKetchum and welcome to MHB!

$$(15-\sqrt x)^2=(15-\sqrt x)(15-\sqrt x)=15\cdot15-15\sqrt x-15\sqrt x+x=225-30\sqrt x+x$$

Does that help?
Perfectly. Thank you!

#### Country Boy

##### Well-known member
MHB Math Helper
In general, (a+ b)^2= (a+ b)(a+ b)= a(a+ b)+ b(a+ b)= a^2+ ab+ ba+ b^2= a^2+ 2ab+ b^2.

Notice that this depends upon the fact that, for a and b numbers, ab= ba. If we were working in an algebraic system in which multiplication was not "commutative" that would not be true.

#### ozdigennaro

##### New member
Assuming that x is must be an integer.
It's easiest to simply start testing integers.
And they must have an integer square root. That makes it pretty easy.
Just guess!

And there's another numerical clue.

The difference between n squared and (n+1) squared = n + n +1
So 15 is the giveaway. 7 + 8 = 15
So 7 squared is 49.