Question

Does anyone know this? I can't seem to figure this one out at all.

Answer 1

• a = 5, b = -1

Explanation:

Simplify the left side.

Multiply both numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator:

• (√3 - 1)/(√3 + 1) =
• (√3 - 1)(√3 - 1)/(√3 - 1)(√3 + 1) =
• (√3² - 2√3 + 1)/(3 - 1) =
• (10 - 2√3)/2 =
• 5 - √3

Compare this to the right side to get:

• 5 - √3 = a + b√3

• a = 5, b = -1