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How to solve the following equation without graphing it? I have tried graphing it and got the answer y=121. It appears as a linear function, but I do not know why it gives a line.

The equations is as follows: $$y+\sqrt{y}-132=0$$ How may I solve it without graphing it?

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  • $\begingroup$ It is not a linear function. Please elaborate on your conjecture: "It appears as a linear function". $\endgroup$
    – mlc
    May 18, 2017 at 3:53

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This function is not linear; it is actually a quadratic in disguise. You can solve it by setting $x = \sqrt{y}$. Note that by the definition of square root, $x$ must be positive. Then the equation becomes $x^2+x-132 = (x+12)(x-11) = 0$, so $x = -12$ or $11$. Since $x$ is positive, $x = 11$, so $y = x^2 = 121$.

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