Solve. LaTeX:  \displaystyle \sqrt{x + 18}=\sqrt{x - 2} + 3

Squaring both sides gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle x + 18=x + 6 \sqrt{x - 2} + 7 . Isolating the radical gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle \frac{11}{6}=\sqrt{x - 2} Squaring again gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle \frac{121}{36}=x - 2 . Solving for LaTeX:  \displaystyle x gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle x=\frac{193}{36} . Checking the solution, LaTeX:  \displaystyle x = \frac{193}{36} , in the original equation gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle \frac{29}{6} = \frac{29}{6} which is true so the solution checks.