Pearson Algebra 1 Common Core, 2011
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Pearson Algebra 1 Common Core, 2011 View details
Mid-Chapter Quiz
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Exercise 29 Page 632

The Product of a Sum and Difference tells us that (a-b)(a+b)=a^2 - b^2.

Exact Solution: 0.8
Approximated Solution: 0.8

Practice makes perfect
To solve the given proportion involving radicals, we will use the Product of a Sum and Difference. (a-b)(a+b)=a^2 - b^2 Let's start by isolating the variable x. We can do this using Cross Products Property.
5/sqrt(8)-2=sqrt(8)+2/x
5x=(sqrt(8)-2)(sqrt(8)+2)
x=(sqrt(8)-2)(sqrt(8)+2)/5

(a-b)(a+b)=a^2-b^2

x=(sqrt(8))^2-(2)^2/5
x=(sqrt(8))^2-4/5
x=8-4/5
x=4/5
x=0.8
We obtained the exact solution to the equation. We do not need to use a calculator to approximate it to the nearest tenth.