Exercise 1668Algebra › Equations and radicalsOlympiadAdded 3 Nov 2026
A double radical
#double radical#squaring#verification
Statement
Solve in R the equation x+2x−1+x−2x−1=2.
Hint
Let A be the left-hand side. Compute A2 by expanding and use (a+b)(a−b)=a2−b2 to evaluate the cross term.
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Solution
Domain. We need 2x−1≥0, i.e. x≥21, and both radicals real, i.e. x±2x−1≥0. The condition x≥2x−1 is equivalent to x2≥2x−1 (both sides nonnegative), i.e. (x−1)2≥0, which always holds. So the domain is x≥21.
Square. Set a=x+2x−1,b=x−2x−1. Then a2+b2=2x,ab=x2−(2x−1)=(x−1)2=∣x−1∣. Since a+b=2, we get 4=(a+b)2=a2+b2+2ab=2x+2∣x−1∣. So ∣x−1∣=2−x, which requires x≤2, and then splits into two cases.
Case 1≤x≤2:∣x−1∣=x−1, so 2x+2(x−1)=4⟹4x=6⟹x=23. This lies in [1,2].
Case 21≤x<1:∣x−1∣=1−x, so 2x+2(1−x)=4⟹2=4, which is impossible.
Verification at x=3/2.2x−1=2, and x+2x−1=23+2=23+22=2(1+2)2,x−2x−1=23−2=23−22=2(1−2)2. Hence a=21+2,b=22−1, and a+b=21+2+2−1=222=2. ✓
Conclusion. The equation has exactly one solution, x=23.