Solve Using the Square Root Property (x-3)^2=24

${(x - 3)}^{2} = 24$

Step 1

Take the specified root of both sides of the equation to eliminate the exponent on the left side.

$x - 3 = \pm \sqrt{24}$

Step 2

Simplify $\pm \sqrt{24}$ .

Rewrite $24$ as $2^{2} \cdot 6$ .

Factor $4$ out of $24$ .

$x - 3 = \pm \sqrt{4 (6)}$

Rewrite $4$ as $2^{2}$ .

$x - 3 = \pm \sqrt{2^{2} \cdot 6}$

Pull terms out from under the radical.

$x - 3 = \pm 2 \sqrt{6}$

Step 3

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

First, use the positive value of the $\pm$ to find the first solution.

$x - 3 = 2 \sqrt{6}$

Add $3$ to both sides of the equation.

$x = 2 \sqrt{6} + 3$

Next, use the negative value of the $\pm$ to find the second solution.

$x - 3 = - 2 \sqrt{6}$

Add $3$ to both sides of the equation.

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

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

$x = 2 \sqrt{6} + 3, - 2 \sqrt{6} + 3$

Step 4

The result can be shown in multiple forms.

Exact Form:

$x = 2 \sqrt{6} + 3, - 2 \sqrt{6} + 3$

Decimal Form:

$x = 7.89897948 \dots, - 1.89897948 \dots$