Identify whether the terms in the equation make this a polynomial. The terms should have either constants, variables, or exponents. The terms should be added, subtracted, or multiplied together -- but not divided by each other. An exception to that is if the division merely indicates a fraction. For example: x/2 since it is the equivalent of 1/2*x. See the other exceptions as noted in the reference. If one of the terms is not a polynomial, the equation will need to be re-worked.
Move the terms to make the equation into standard form. This is not required, but will make solving the equation easier. Do this by putting the term that has the highest degree (largest exponent) first followed by the next largest exponent, and so on. Terms without an exponent are called constants and are placed last. If there are two constants, the smaller number goes last. Think of standard form as ordering the equation from biggest to smallest.
Identify the terms with a square root. Solve to find their square root. For instance, √25 would be 5. √49 would be 7. Replace the original term with the solved square root.
Raise the solved square root to the indicated exponent, if one is given. This is a small number that should appear near the top right of the term. It indicates to multiply the solved square root by itself that many times. For instance, if √49 had a small 3 exponent in the top right corner, then the solved square root (7) should be multiplied by itself 3 times to get 343. This exponent needs to be a positive number.
Repeat the previous step with the other square root. This should create two new terms that are either constants, or a combination of a constant and variables. Continue by solving the equation using basic algebra as well as addition, subtraction, or multiplication that is required between terms.. Remember, a polynomial adds up to a polynomial or multiplies to a polynomial.