When you take the square root of $16$, there are two possibilities. What are they, and how can you write that as an equation involving $x - 3$?

Once you have equations like $x - 3 = \text{(number)}$, how do you isolate $x$? After finding all possible $x$ values, compare them to the answer choices.

In one expression line, type y = (x-3)^2. In another expression line, type y = 16. This graphs the left and right sides of the equation as two separate curves.

Zoom out or move the graph as needed until you see where the parabola $y = (x-3)^2$ crosses the horizontal line $y = 16$. Use the intersection tool (click on the intersection points) to see the $x$-values of the intersection(s).

Look at the $x$-coordinates of the intersection points you found. Compare those $x$-values with the options $1$, $3$, $5$, and $-1$, and select the choice that matches one of the intersection $x$-values.

Start with the equation:

To undo the square, take the square root of both sides. Remember that taking a square root in an equation gives two possibilities:

Now solve each of the two linear equations:

From $x - 3 = 4$:

From $x - 3 = -4$:

So the equation has two solutions: $x = 7$ and another value.

The solutions of the equation are $x = 7$ and $x = -1$. The answer choices are $1$, $3$, $5$, and $-1$. The only choice that matches one of the solutions is $-1$, so that is a possible value of $x$.