Solve Using the Square Root Property (x+5)^2-4=12

${(x + 5)}^{2} - 4 = 12$

Step 1

Add $4$ to both sides of the equation.

${(x + 5)}^{2} = 12 + 4$

Step 2

Add $12$ and $4$ .

${(x + 5)}^{2} = 16$

Step 3

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

$x + 5 = \pm \sqrt{16}$

Step 4

Simplify $\pm \sqrt{16}$ .

Rewrite $16$ as $4^{2}$ .

$x + 5 = \pm \sqrt{4^{2}}$

Pull terms out from under the radical, assuming positive real numbers.

$x + 5 = \pm 4$

Step 5

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.

$x + 5 = 4$

Move all terms not containing $x$ to the right side of the equation.

Subtract $5$ from both sides of the equation.

$x = 4 - 5$

Subtract $5$ from $4$ .

$x = - 1$

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

$x + 5 = - 4$

Move all terms not containing $x$ to the right side of the equation.

Subtract $5$ from both sides of the equation.

$x = - 4 - 5$

Subtract $5$ from $- 4$ .

$x = - 9$

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

$x = - 1, - 9$