Algebra Examples

$\sqrt{a^{2}} = 17$

Step 1

To remove the radical on the left side of the equation, square both sides of the equation.

${\sqrt{a^{2}}}^{2} = 17^{2}$

Step 2

Simplify each side of the equation.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1

Use $\sqrt[n]{a^{x}} = a^{\frac{x}{n}}$ to rewrite $\sqrt{a^{2}}$ as $a^{\frac{2}{2}}$ .

${(a^{\frac{2}{2}})}^{2} = 17^{2}$

Step 2.2

Divide $2$ by $2$ .

${(a^{1})}^{2} = 17^{2}$

Step 2.3

Simplify the left side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.3.1

Multiply the exponents in ${(a^{1})}^{2}$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.3.1.1

Apply the power rule and multiply exponents, ${(a^{m})}^{n} = a^{m n}$ .

$a^{1 \cdot 2} = 17^{2}$

Step 2.3.1.2

Multiply $2$ by $1$ .

$a^{2} = 17^{2}$

Step 2.4

Simplify the right side.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.4.1

Raise $17$ to the power of $2$ .

$a^{2} = 289$

Step 3

Solve for $a$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.1

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

$a = \pm \sqrt{289}$

Step 3.2

Simplify $\pm \sqrt{289}$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.2.1

Rewrite $289$ as $17^{2}$ .

$a = \pm \sqrt{17^{2}}$

Step 3.2.2

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

$a = \pm 17$

Step 3.3

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

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.3.1

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

$a = 17$

Step 3.3.2

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

$a = - 17$

Step 3.3.3

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

$a = 17, - 17$