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Simplify the following surds
a) √8
b) √12
C) √32

1 Answer

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Answer:

a) 2√2

b) 2√3

c) 4√2

Explanation:

To simplify surds, you want to find the largest perfect square that can be factored out from the number under the square root.

a) √8

The largest perfect square that can be factored out from 8 is 4, because 4 is the square of 2.

√8 = √(4 × 2) = √4 × √2 = 2√2

b) √12

The largest perfect square that can be factored out from 12 is 4, because 4 is the square of 2.

√12 = √(4 × 3) = √4 × √3 = 2√3

c) √32

The largest perfect square that can be factored out from 32 is 16, because 16 is the square of 4.

√32 = √(16 × 2) = √16 × √2 = 4√2

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