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| Student Learning Objectives: |
|---|
|
| | 18 Theory slides |
| | 9 Exercises - Grade E - A |
| | Each lesson is meant to take 1-2 classroom sessions |
The golden ratio is the ratio of two positive numbers with the property that their ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two numbers. It is represented by the Greek letter φ.
Its value is given by the following expression.
φ = 1+sqrt(5)/2
Not only mathematicians, but throughout history, architects and artists have used this ratio. To this day, people still paint on canvases shaped as a golden rectangle. The length l and width w of this rectangle are in the golden ratio.
l/w=φ
Dylan, an avid painter, sets out to buy an uncut canvas. Feeling savvy, he thinks he can cut the canvas himself in such a way that it becomes a golden rectangle. Dylan aims to cut the canvas a length l of 60 inches. What should be the width?
Some numbers cannot be expressed as the ratio of two integers. These numbers have a special name.
The set of irrational numbers is formed by all numbers that cannot be expressed as the ratio between two integers. sqrt(2), sqrt(3), sqrt(5), e, π Irrational numbers are real numbers, but they cannot be expressed as fractions. Also, the decimal expansion of irrational numbers is not repeating and non-terminating. sqrt(2) &= 1.41421356237... π &= 3.14159265359 ... In other words, a number is irrational if it is not rational. Although this number set does not have its own symbol, it is sometimes represented with a combination of other symbols.
R-Q or R \ QFrom the examples given above, sqrt(2), sqrt(3), and sqrt(5) are called the square root of 2, the square root of 3, and the square root of 5, respectively.
A square root of a number a is a number that, when multiplied by itself, equals a. For example, 4 and - 4 are the square roots of 16. 4* 4 &= 16 [0.5em]
-4 * (-4)&=16
All positive numbers have two square roots — one positive and one negative. To avoid ambiguity, when talking about the square root of a number, only the positive root, also known as its principal root, is considered. Furthermore, to denote the square root, the symbol sqrt()
is used. For example, the square root of 16 is denoted as sqrt(16).
sqrt(16) = 4
In the example above, the principal root of 16 is 4 because 4 multiplied by itself equals 16 and 4 is positive. When a number is a perfect square, its square roots are integers. The square roots of positive integers that are non-perfect squares are irrational numbers.
| Principal Root of Perfect Squares | Principal Root of Non-Perfect Squares | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect Square | Principal Root (Integer Number) |
Non-Perfect Square | Principal Root (Irrational Number) |
| 1 | sqrt(1)=1 | 2 | sqrt(2)≈ 1.414213... |
| 4 | sqrt(4)=2 | 3 | sqrt(3)≈ 1.732050... |
| 9 | sqrt(9)=3 | 5 | sqrt(5)≈ 2.236067... |
| 16 | sqrt(16)=4 | 10 | sqrt(10)≈ 3.162277... |
| 25 | sqrt(25)=5 | 20 | sqrt(20)≈ 4.472135... |
Emily visited her grandparent's new house for a family gathering. She loves their huge backyard! Her grandpa, eager to let her explore, told her she can use some of the free space and some leftover fertilizer to make herself a little flower garden!
Grandpa says that there is enough fertilizer to cover 81 square feet. Emily wants to use this fertilzer to make a garden in the shape of a square.
For the garden's area to be 81 square feet, the side length must be 9 feet. Emily can now start gardening in full confidence!
Sometimes it is necessary to simplify a square root. The Product Property of Square Roots can be helpful when doing so.
Given two non-negative numbers a and b, the square root of their product equals the product of the square root of each number.
sqrt(ab) = sqrt(a)* sqrt(b), for a≥ 0 and b≥ 0
y^2= b
ab= z^2
a^m b^m = (a b)^m
Rearrange equation
Since x, y, and z are non-negative, the final equation implies that z=xy. z^2=(xy)^2 ⇒ z=xy The last step is substituting z=sqrt(ab), x=sqrt(a), and y=sqrt(b) into this equation. z=xy ⇔ sqrt(ab)=sqrt(a)* sqrt(b)
At the family gathering, Emily's aunt named Auntie Agent is gushing about her job as a real estate agent. She is bragging about a recent business deal. She purchased a new plot that is located next to two plots she also owns, as highlighted in the diagram.
Auntie Agent wants to resale her newly purchased plot in a few years. To do so, she needs to know the area of the plot. Unfortunately, the land bill is severely faded, and the area is unreadable. Luckily, she knows the areas of the two square plots next to it. Knowing that Emily is good at math, Auntie Agent asks her for help.
Help Emily and Auntie Agent find the area of the new plot.
Since the areas of the square plots are known, it is possible to find l and w.
| Area of Square Plot | Side Length |
|---|---|
| l ^2=160 | l=sqrt(160) |
| w^2=360 | w=sqrt(360) |
Finally, the area of the newly acquired plot can be found by substituting these values into the formula for the area of a rectangle. Then, the Product Property of Square Roots can be used.
l= sqrt(160), w= sqrt(360)
sqrt(a)*sqrt(b)=sqrt(a* b)
Multiply
Calculate root
Therefore, the area of the new plot is 240 square meters. Auntie Agent is ready to wheel and deal!
Auntie Agent finds herself bored of the family gathering. She sneaks off to the kitchen wanting to calculate a few math problems from her kid's math textbook! She notices an interesting expression on a graphing calculator.
She notices that the square root of 8 appears to be twice the value of the square root of 2. Auntie Agent, curious to know why, checks her kid's notes and sees the following notes from his class.
The teacher said that the radicand ought to be factored using perfect squares. Then, the Product Property of Square Roots can be used. The teacher suggested to simplify sqrt(18) using this method. Help Auntie Agent rewrite sqrt(18) in terms of sqrt(2). Write the exact value, not an approximation.
Split into factors
sqrt(a* b)=sqrt(a)*sqrt(b)
Calculate root
Therefore, sqrt(18) equals 3sqrt(2). Auntie Agent feels relieved to have figured out what the graphing calculator expressed.
Use the Product Property of Square Roots to simplify the given square roots.
When working with square roots, just like how the product of a square root operates, there is a similar property for quotients.
Let a be a non-negative number and b be a positive number. The square root of the quotient ab equals the quotient of the square roots of a and b.
sqrt(a/b) = sqrt(a)/sqrt(b), for a≥ 0, b> 0
y^2= b
a/b= z^2
a^m/b^m=(a/b)^m
Rearrange equation
Since x, y, and z are non-negative, the final equation implies that z= xy. z^2=(x/y)^2 ⇒ z=x/y The last step is substituting z=sqrt(ab), x=sqrt(a), and y=sqrt(b) into this equation. z=x/y ⇔ sqrt(a/b)=sqrt(a)/sqrt(b)
Emily roams over to see what her cousins are up to, and one of them is working on some geometry homework. They need to find the hypotenuse of the right triangle shown in the diagram.
Emily's cousin knows that the Pythagorean Theorem can be used to find the hypotenuse c of the triangle. After some algebraic manipulation they managed to isolate c. a^2+b^2=c^2 ⇓ c=sqrt(a^2+b^2) After adding the squares of the legs, they are left with a numeric expression for the hypotenuse of the triangle. They wonder if this can be simplified.
Help Emily and their cousin by simplifying the expression for the hypotenuse of the triangle.
Therefore, the length of the hypotenuse is 57.
Use the Quotient Property of Square Roots to simplify the given square root.
The square root of an irreducible fraction whose denominator is a perfect square will result in a numeric expression with an integer denominator. However, a fraction can have a denominator that is not a perfect square. 3/sqrt(6) If the square root of such a fraction is calculated, the denominator will be an irrational number. There is a way of avoiding irrational numbers in a denominator.
When a fraction has a radical denominator that is an irrational number, it is convenient to rewrite the fraction so that the denominator is an integer. This process is known as rationalization. Consider the following example. 3/sqrt(6) The numeric expression can be rationalized by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same factor — a factor that removes the radical from the denominator. The fraction is then simplified, if possible.
sqrt(a)* sqrt(a)= a
a/b=.a /3./.b /3.
The fraction has now been rationalized because the denominator is an integer number.
Rationalize the denominator of the given numeric expression.
Some irrational numbers are written as expressions involving rational and irrational terms. As performed previously with perfect squares, these expressions cannot be further simplified into one term and are left written as a sum or difference. Consider the following example. 3+sqrt(2) Given an irrational number in this form, it is possible to find another irrational number by switching the sign of the irrational term.
Let a, b, and c be rational numbers, with sqrt(c) irrational. The irrational conjugate of a+bsqrt(c) is obtained by switching the sign of the irrational term. ccc Number & & Conjugate [0.15cm] a+bsqrt(c) & switch sign & a-bsqrt(c) [0.15cm] a-bsqrt(c) & switch sign & a+bsqrt(c)
For example, the conjugate of 2-5sqrt(3) is 2+5sqrt(3).When the denominator of a numeric expression has a number in this form, it can be rationalized by following a standard procedure.
When a numeric expression has a denominator that is an irrational radical expression, it is convenient to rewrite the expression so that the denominator is a rational number. This process is known as rationalization. Consider the following example. 2/5+sqrt(3) Since the denominator involves a rational and a square root, the fraction can be rewritten by multiplying both the numerator and denominator by the irrational conjugate of the denominator. The resulting expression can then be simplified.
(a+b)(a-b)=a^2-b^2
Calculate power
( sqrt(a) )^2 = a
Subtract term
a/b=.a /2./.b /2.
The expression has now been rationalized because the denominator is an integer number.
Emily now goes over to her cousin Dylan, who looks bored. He says he would rather be painting. She has an idea to cheer him up and shows him the phenomenon of free fall. She walks to the top of the stairs and starts dropping stuff!
Emily then wants to teach Dylan how to simplify a numeric expression which represents the ratio of the free fall time of two different objects. sqrt(1)+sqrt(4)/sqrt(9)+sqrt(2) What is the simplest way of writing this expression?
Since the denominator of this expression is an irrational number, it needs to be rationalized in order to be written in its simplest form. This can be done by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the irrational conjugate of the denominator. 3/3 + sqrt(2) * 3 - sqrt(2)/3 - sqrt(2) The expression can be now be simplified.
Multiply fractions
Distribute 3
(a+b)(a-b)=a^2-b^2
Calculate power
( sqrt(a) )^2 = a
Subtract term
Some irrational numbers are written as expressions involving the sum of irrational terms. Below is an example. 3sqrt(2)+5sqrt(2) Given an expression in this form, it is possible — under certain circumstances — to simplify it into one term.
A numeric or algebraic expression that contains two or more radical terms with the same radicand and the same index can be simplified by adding or subtracting the corresponding coefficients.
asqrt(x)± bsqrt(x)=(a± b)sqrt(x)
Here, a,b, and x are real numbers and n is a natural number. If n is even, then x must be greater than or equal to zero.
If the radicands are not the same but one or both radical terms can be rewritten to have the same radicand, the expression can be simplified by adding or subtracting radicals. Consider the following example. 3sqrt(8)+2sqrt(2) This expression can be simplified by rewriting sqrt(8) in terms of sqrt(2).
Split into factors
sqrt(a* b)=sqrt(a)*sqrt(b)
Calculate root
Multiply
Add terms
3sqrt(3)+sqrt(12)/sqrt(24)-sqrt(6) Ali says that, since there are no like radicals, the expression cannot be simplified. Davontay suggests the use of the properties of square roots to see if any like radicals appear.
Help Ali and Davontay simplify the given expression!
Split into factors
sqrt(a* b)=sqrt(a)*sqrt(b)
Add terms
Split into factors
sqrt(a* b)=sqrt(a)*sqrt(b)
Subtract term
Finally, the denominator will be rationalized.
a* b/c=a*b/c
sqrt(a)/sqrt(b)=sqrt(a/b)
a/b=.a /3./.b /3.
sqrt(a/b)=sqrt(a)/sqrt(b)
a*b/c= a* b/c
a/b=a * sqrt(2)/b * sqrt(2)
sqrt(a)* sqrt(a)= a
The challenge presented at the beginning can be solved by using the mathematical tools provided in this lesson. Recall that Dylan is trying to make a canvas that has the dimensions of a golden rectangle.
In order to do so, Dylan can cut off the excess of his canvas so that the ratio of the dimensions is the golden ratio. l/w=1+sqrt(5)/2 If he cuts the length l of the canvas to be 60 inches. What should be the width w? Round the answer to two decimal places.
l= 60
LHS * 2=RHS* 2
a/c* b = a* b/c
LHS * w=RHS* w
.LHS /(1+sqrt(5)).=.RHS /(1+sqrt(5)).
Rearrange equation
The right-hand side of the equation can be simplified by rationalizing the denominator using conjugates.
a/b=a * (1-sqrt(5))/b * (1-sqrt(5))
(a+b)(a-b)=a^2-b^2
( sqrt(a) )^2 = a
Subtract term
Put minus sign in front of fraction
a* b/c=a/c* b
Calculate quotient
Use a calculator
Round to 2 decimal place(s)
An appliance used by electrical engineers is capable of measuring the electric current I (in amperes) in terms of the power P (in watts) and the resistance R (in ohms).
These three quantities are related by the following formula. I=sqrt(P/R) Find the current I used by an appliance when the power is 120 watts and the resistance is 4 ohms. Round the answer to two decimal places.
We are given that the power P is 120 watts and the resistance R is 4 ohms. Let's substitute these values into the formula!
Therefore, the electric current is about 5.48 amperes.
To rationalize a monomial denominator, we multiply the numerator and denominator by a radical that will eliminate the radical in the denominator. Because the radical in the denominator is a square root, we need to multiply it by a square root that will give us a perfect square under the radical.
Let's rationalize this expression by multiplying the numerator and denominator by sqrt(6).
To rationalize a fraction with a binomial denominator, we multiply the numerator and denominator of the fraction by the conjugate of the denominator. We find the conjugate by changing the sign of the second term of the expression.
| Binomial | Conjugate |
|---|---|
| a + b | a - b |
| a - b | a + b |
In this case, the conjugate of the denominator is 3-sqrt(7).
Tearrik has simplified a rational expression by following the steps shown below. However, his teacher told him that the solution is incorrect.
Which of the four steps is wrong?
We will simplify the given expression step by step by using the properties of square roots. This will let us compare the result from each step with Tearrik's solution to identify the mistake. Begin by splitting 75 into at least one perfect square factor.
So far so good. Next, we apply the Product Property of Square Roots.
We note that this step is correct too. We now calculate the square root of 25.
This step is also correct. Since 3 is a prime number and the expression cannot be further simplified, this should be the answer. However, Tearrik went further and made a mistake by multiplying 5 and 3 and taking the square root of the product. Therefore, the mistake is in step 4.