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-   -   Solving radical expressions (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=420784)

  • Nov 30, 2009, 04:49 PM
    ray17molly89
    solving radical expressions
    -5sqrt12 - 6sqrt27 - 3sqrt48
  • Nov 30, 2009, 05:19 PM
    mathwiz3502
    Guessing that you are taking 9th grade math, here is how you do it:
    for simplifying radicals find perfect square factors of what's under, and multiply what's left by its square root
    ex. Sqrt50
    50=25 times 2
    sqrt50=5sqrt2
    1.-5sqrt12
    12=4 times 3
    -5sqrt12=-10sqrt3
    2.6sqrt27
    27=3 times 9
    6sqrt27=18sqrt3
    3.3sqrt48
    48=16 times 3
    3sqrt48=12sqrt3
    -10sqrt3 + -18sqrt3 + -12sqrt3
    with like terms we can now subtract to
    -40sqrt3
  • Dec 1, 2009, 11:09 AM
    g13544055

    it's important to know that mathwiz is using the rule ./(a.b) = (./a) x (./b)

    i.e. . /50 = ./(25x2) = (./25) x (./2)
    = 5./2

    (where I'm using ./ to mean sqrt)
  • Dec 1, 2009, 03:18 PM
    mathwiz3502
    Correct g13544055

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