In this section, you will be solving square root equations using a table. A graphing calculator is needed to complete this section.

flowchart with the following steps, Step 1: Identify the side of the equation with a radical and the side with ONLY a constant. Step 2: Create a table on the calculator to find values for the radical side of the equation. Step 3: Search for the constant from the equation in the y-column of the table. Step 4: Find the x-value that matches the y-value from Step 3. This x-value is your solution!

The Step One equation will look like → side with radical = side with constant.

Example: Solve √4 − x = 1 using a table. Follow along on your calculator.

  1. Identify the radical side with the constant side of the equation.
    Side with radical → √4 − x
    Side with only a constant → 1
  2. Put the equation in your calculator for Y1. Go to the table of values.graphing calculator screen showing a table of values for y = the square root of the quantity 4-x from x= -1 to x =5
  3. Look for the constant from the equation in the y-column of the table.

    graphing calculator screen showing a table of values for y = the square root of the quantity 4-x from x= -1 to x =5 with the y-value of 1 highlighted

  4. Find the x-value that matches the y-value from Step 3. This is your solution!graphing calculator screen showing a table of values for y = the square root of the quantity 4-x from x= -1 to x =5 with the y-value of 1 and x value of 3 highlighted

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