Question

Do I always simplify a question before doing the operations? For example, do I always simplify a fraction before doing the operations?

For example for this question:
(8-4√2) /2 + ( 6+4√2)/ 2

I had to simplify the fraction by factoring, cancelling and then do the operation or I got it wrong.

Answer 1

see below

Explanation:

it will be easier to do calculations later if you simplify first

in this case you did the best and shortest way

you could rewrite

(8-4√2) /2 + ( 6+4√2)/ 2 as

4-2
`√(2)` + 3 + 2
`√(2)` and then 7 + 4
`\sqrt2`