Solve. LaTeX:  \displaystyle \sqrt{x + 14}=\sqrt{x - 4} + 3

Squaring both sides gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle x + 14=x + 6 \sqrt{x - 4} + 5 . Isolating the radical gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle \frac{3}{2}=\sqrt{x - 4} Squaring again gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle \frac{9}{4}=x - 4 . Solving for LaTeX:  \displaystyle x gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle x=\frac{25}{4} . Checking the solution, LaTeX:  \displaystyle x = \frac{25}{4} , in the original equation gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle \frac{9}{2} = \frac{9}{2} which is true so the solution checks.