See, for example:
http://www.math.utexas.edu/pipermail/maxima/2008/011492.html
(%i51) load(topoly_solver)$
(%i52) to_poly_solve(sqrt(x-1) = x-3,x);
(%o52) [[x=5]]
Barton
maxima-bounces at math.utexas.edu wrote on 11/13/2008 09:04:27 AM:
>
> 2008/11/9 Jordi Guti?rrez Hermoso <jordigh at gmail.com>:
> > How can I solve sqrt(x-1) = x-3?