Question

3√20 - 3√45 + 5√12

please show all work

Answer 1

-3√5 + 10√3

Explanation:

Let's start by reducing √20, √45 and √12:

√20 = √4√5 = 2√5

√45 = √9√5 = 3√5

√12 = √4√3 = 2√3

Then the original expression 3√20 - 3√45 becomes:

3 { (2)√5 - 3√5 } , or 3 {-1√5}

Now add in that 5√12, in simplified form from the work we did above:

5(2)√3, or 10√3

The final answer, obtained from combining the three given terms, is

-3√5 + 10√3. This cannot be simplfied further.