Solve the Square Root Equation: √x = 14

You can't just "remove" the square root symbol! Squaring both sides is the proper algebraic operation that eliminates the radical while keeping the equation balanced.

For real numbers, we can't have negative values under a square root. But in this problem, we're solving for x, so we get $x = 196$, which is positive!

Remember that $14^2 = 14 \times 14$. You can break it down: $14 \times 14 = (10 + 4) \times 14 = 140 + 56 = 196$.

Not when solving $\sqrt{x} = 14$! The square root symbol $\sqrt{}$ always means the positive square root, so x = 196 is the only solution.

Great question! $x^2 = 196$ has two solutions: x = 14 and x = -14. But $\sqrt{x} = 14$ has only one: x = 196.