Equation Involving Square Roots of Surds

CAT 2024 Slot 2 · Quantitative Ability · Easy · Algebra

If (x+62)12−(x−62)12=22(x + 6\sqrt{2})^{\frac{1}{2}} - (x - 6\sqrt{2})^{\frac{1}{2}} = 2\sqrt{2}, then xx equals

Answer

11

Explanation

Squaring both sides of (x+62)12−(x−62)12=22(x + 6\sqrt{2})^{\frac{1}{2}} - (x - 6\sqrt{2})^{\frac{1}{2}} = 2\sqrt{2}: (x+62)+(x−62)−2(x+62)(x−62)=(22)2(x + 6\sqrt{2}) + (x - 6\sqrt{2}) - 2\sqrt{(x + 6\sqrt{2})(x - 6\sqrt{2})} = (2\sqrt{2})^2 2x−2x2−72=82x - 2\sqrt{x^2 - 72} = 8 x−4=x2−72x - 4 = \sqrt{x^2 - 72}

Squaring both sides again: (x−4)2=x2−72(x - 4)^2 = x^2 - 72 x2−8x+16=x2−72x^2 - 8x + 16 = x^2 - 72 8x=88  ⟹  x=118x = 88 \implies x = 11.

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