Pearson Algebra 2 Common Core, 2011
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Pearson Algebra 2 Common Core, 2011 View details
2. Properties of Exponential Functions
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Exercise 56 Page 450

To simplify the given radical expression, rewrite the radicands so that they have exponents that match the index of the radicals.

5(sqrt(3)+sqrt(5))

Practice makes perfect

To simplify the given radical expression, we first need to rewrite the radicands so that they have exponents that match the index of the radicals. Then we will consider the properties for combining radical expressions when they are part of a sum or difference. asqrt(x)+bsqrt(x)&=(a+b)sqrt(x) asqrt(x)-bsqrt(x)&=(a-b)sqrt(x)Notice that radicals can only be added or subtracted when the index and the value inside are exactly the same. Let's simplify our radicals to see if we can create like terms.

sqrt(75)+sqrt(125)
â–¼
Simplify
sqrt(25* 3)+sqrt(25 * 5)
sqrt(5^2 * 3)+sqrt(5^2 * 5)
sqrt(5^2)sqrt(3)+sqrt(5^2)sqrt(5)
5sqrt(3)+5sqrt(5)

Unfortunately, the radicals have different radicands, so we cannot add them.

5sqrt(3)+5sqrt(5)
5(sqrt(3)+sqrt(5))

The simplest form of the radical expression is 5(sqrt(3)+sqrt(5)).