1.

3 Solving Equations by
Applying Square Roots and Cube Roots
Use after Supplement Lesson 1.2.

Vocabulary:
cube root – a factor of a number that when multiplied by itself three times equals the
original number

cubic equations – equations having a variable raised to the 3rd power

perfect cube – a number that can be expressed as the product of three equal rational numbers

quadratic equations – equations having variables raised to the 2nd power

A perfect square is defined as a number that can be expressed as the product of two equal
rational numbers. Likewise, the square root of a number is defined as the factor that when
multiplied by itself is equal to the original number. The radical is the symbol used to take the
square root of a number.
Notice that 64 = 82 , so 64 = 82 = 8. In other words, the square root is the inverse operation
that undoes the squaring of a number.

• If 122 = 144, then 144 = 122 = 12.

• If (−12) = 144, then − 144 = − (122 ) = −12.

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When the positive square root is required, the result is written without a sign ( )
144 = 12 .
When the negative square root is required, the result is written with a negative sign
(− 144 = −12).
If both square roots are required, the result is written as ± 144 = ±12. In words, the equation
is read: “Plus or minus the square root of 144 equals plus or minus 12.” This means both the
positive and negative square roots are included.
The relationship between squaring and square roots allows us to solve one-variable
equations that have a squared variable term. If an equation is in the form of x 2 = p, where p is
a positive rational number, the equation is solved by taking the square root of both sides.
In other words, get the variable by itself with a power of 1 by undoing the power of 2: x 2 = x.
(Remember, x1 = x. )
Equations with squared variables are called quadratic equations. In general, the solution
when solving a quadratic equation always includes both square roots.

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Example 1
Solve.
A. x 2 = 64
x 2 = 64 (Take the square roots of both sides.)
x = ±8 ( x 2 = x; take both square roots of 64. )
36
B. x2 =
49
36
x2 = (Take the square roots of both sides.)
49
 6  6   36 
x =     is a perfect square.
 7  7   49 
6  
x=± Take both square roots of 36 .
7  49 

The square root of a number is the number multiplied by itself to equal the original
number. The cube root of a number is the number multiplied by itself three times to equal
the original number. A number is a perfect cube when the cube root is a rational number.
3
The number 2 multiplied by itself three times as an expression is (2)(2)(2) = (2) = 8. The
3 3
number 3 cubed is (3)(3)(3) = (3) = 27, 4 cubed is (4)(4)(4) = (4) = 64, and so forth.

A fraction is also a perfect cube when both the numerator and the denominator are
27  3  3  3   27 
perfect cubes. For example, is a perfect cube since     =  .
64  4  4  4   64 
The symbol used to perform the cube root operation is also a radical symbol, but it has
( )
a superscript of 3 in the V-shaped portion of the symbol 3 x . The square root symbol can
be written with a superscript of 2, but usually the superscript is omitted x = 2 x . ( )
Example 2
Simplify.
3
A. 3 23 = 3 8 = 2   →   (2)(2)(2) = (2) = 8
3
B. 3
125 = 5   →   (5)(5)(5) = (5) = 125
3
8  2  2  2   2
3
 2  2  2   2 
3
(2) 8
C. 3 = 3     = 3 
    →       =   = =
343  7  7  7  7  7  7  7   7  3
(7) 343
Equations with cubed variables (variables raised to the power of 3) are called cubic
equations. If an equation is in the form of x 3 = p, where p is a positive rational number,
then solve the equation by taking the cube root of both sides. In other words, get the
variable by itself with a power of 1 by undoing the power of 3: x = x.
3 3

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 Example 3
Solve.
A. x 3 = 27
3
x 3 = 3 27 (Take the cube root of both sides.)
x=3
64
B. x3 =
125
64
3
x3 = 3 (Take the cube root of both sides.)
125
 4  4  4 
x= 3    
 5  5  5 
3
 4 
x= 3  
 5 
4
x=
5

Solve each quadratic equation by finding both square roots.

196
1.3.2) x =
2
1.3.1) x 2 = 49
225

Evaluate.
8
1.3.3) 3
143 = 1.3.5) 3 =
27

3
1.3.4) 216 =

Solve each cubic equation. All radicands are perfect cubes.

1, 000
1.3.6) x 3 = 512 1.3.7) x 3 =
729

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