Chapter 1 - Section 1.4 - Radical Equations; Equations Quadratic in Form; Factorable Equations - 1.4 Assess Your Understanding - Page 118: 53

$s=-\displaystyle \frac{3}{2}$ or $s=2$

We solve by factoring: $2(s+1)^{2}-5(s+1)=3$ $2(s+1)^{2}-5(s+1)-3=0$ $[2(s+1)+1][(s+1)-3]=0$ $(2s+2+1)(s+1-3)=0$ $(2s+3)(s-2)=0$ $2s+3=0$ or $s-2=0$ $s=-\displaystyle \frac{3}{2}$ or $s=2$