[Math] Solve the equation $\sqrt{3x^2-7x-30}-\sqrt{2x^2-7x-5}=x-5$

algebra-precalculusquadratics

Problem Statement:-

Solve the equation $\sqrt{3x^2-7x-30}-\sqrt{2x^2-7x-5}=x-5$


Attempt at solution:-

Let $\alpha=\sqrt{3x^2-7x-30}\;\;\; \text{&} \;\;\;\beta=\sqrt{2x^2-7x-5}$.

Then, we have $$\alpha-\beta=x-5\tag{1}$$

And, we have $$\alpha^2-\beta^2=x^2-25\tag{2}$$

From $(1)$ and $(2)$, we have
$$\alpha+\beta=\dfrac{(x-5)(x+5)}{x-5}=x+5\qquad(\therefore x\neq5)\tag{3}$$

From $(1)$ and $(3)$, we get
$$\alpha=\sqrt{3x^2-7x-30}=x\qquad\qquad\beta=\sqrt{2x^2-7x-5}=5$$

On solving any one of $\alpha=x$ or $\beta=5$, we get $x=6,-\dfrac{5}{2}$.

On putting $x=-\dfrac{5}{2}$, $\alpha=x$ is not satisfied. Hence, $x=6$ is the only solution.

But as in $(3)$, we have ruled out $x=5$, as a solution then we can't put $x=5$ in the original equation. But, if we do put $x=5$ in the original equation we see that it is indeed satisfied. So, I tried a solution which also gives $x=5$ as a solution. So I picked the last solution from the $(2)$ without cancelling $(x-5)$.

$$(x-5)(\alpha+\beta)=x^2-25\implies (x-5)(\alpha+\beta-(x+5))=0$$.

Now, I am pretty much stuck here.

Edit-1:- I just saw now and feel pretty stupid about it.

If we proceed from the last step i.e. $(x-5)(\alpha+\beta-(x+5))=0$, we get
$$(x-5)(\alpha+\beta-(x+5))=0\implies (x-5)=0\;\;\;\text{ or }\;\;\;\alpha+\beta=x+5$$

So we have the following equations to be solved:-

$$\alpha-\beta=x-5\\
\alpha+\beta=x+5\\
x-5=0$$

Which results in $x=5,6$.

Now, since I have put so much effort in posting this question, I might as well ask for better solutions if you can come up with one. And, please don't post a solution which includes a lot of squaring to result into a quartic equation.

Best Answer

rewriting as $$\sqrt{3x^2-7x-30}=x-5+\sqrt{2x^2-7x-5}$$ after squaring we get $$3x^2-7x-30-(x-5)^2-2x^2+7x+5=2(x-5)\sqrt{2x^2-7x-5}$$ simplifying $$10x-50=2(x-5)\sqrt{2x^2-7x-5}$$ $$5x-25=(x-5)\sqrt{2x^2-7x-5}$$ squaring again $$- \left( 2\,x+5 \right) \left( x-6 \right) \left( x-5 \right) ^{2}=0$$ from here you will get the possible solutions.

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