Solve the equation x + sqrt(x - 2) = 4.
x + sqrt (x - 2) = 4
sqrt (x - 2) = 4 - x square both sides
x - 2 = x^2 - 8x + 16 simplify as
x^2 - 9x + 18 = 0
(x - 3) ( x - 6) = 0
x - 3 = 0 x - 6 = 0
x = 3 x = 6 (reject this solution)
x = 3 is the solution