Solve simple rational and radical equations and identify extraneous solutions.
Check whether a proposed value is a valid solution to a rational or radical equation
Problem
Is this proposed solution valid? \(x=3\) for \(\sqrt{x+1}=2\)
Big Picture
What this problem is really about
Test a proposed value in the original equation, beginning with its domain conditions. If the radical is defined, evaluate the left and right sides separately and compare them. Remember that the square-root symbol returns the principal nonnegative value; plus-or-minus notation belongs to solving a squared equation, not to evaluating an already written square root.
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