Thread Subject: solve in R2008b does not like spaces?

R2008b's solve command cannot solve (string) equations with spaces?

>> solve ('sqrt (x) = 42')
Warning: 2 equations in 1 variables.
> In solve at 139
Warning: Explicit solution could not be found.
> In solve at 170
 
ans =
 
[ empty sym ]

>> solve ('sqrt(x) = 42')
 
ans =
 
1764

>> syms x
>> solve (sqrt (x) - 42)
 
ans =
 
1764

The bug has not been fixed in R2009a.