[Guest]

I haven't covered surd form in class, we were told to use the examples but the book does not explain this question. Rationalise the denominators and give your answer in the form a+b√c

2+√2

------- (meant to be in fractional terms but don't know how to do it on computer)

√2

Could you please explain the method in solving it

[Guest]

I haven't covered surd form in class, we were told to use the examples but the book does not explain this question. Rationalise the denominators and give your answer in the form a+b√c

2+√2

------- (meant to be in fractional terms but don't know how to do it on computer)

√2

Could you please explain the method in solving it

Surd form just means the simplified form of the equation.

Well, the first thing you need to do is to get that square root out of the denominator. To do this, you must multiply √2 by both the denominator and the numerator, which will look like this....

(2+√2)*√2

-------

√2*√2

You do this because multiplying a square root by itself will result in a whole number and you have to modify both the top and the bottom to keep the equation the same. do you think that you would be able to take it from there? Simplify it, i mean? I will post the answer in a spoiler so that you can check it when you are finished. If you cannot figure out how to do it, let me know.

1+√2

[Guest]

I haven't covered surd form in class, we were told to use the examples but the book does not explain this question. Rationalise the denominators and give your answer in the form a+b√c

2+√2

------- (meant to be in fractional terms but don't know how to do it on computer)

√2

Could you please explain the method in solving it

I don't understand what you mean by doing it on a computer, can you explain? Are you supposed to do this in a computer?

IDNE did a pretty good job in explaining. If you have any doubts you can post them here, I'm sure any of us will be glad to help.

[Guest]

I don't understand what you mean by doing it on a computer, can you explain? Are you supposed to do this in a computer?

IDNE did a pretty good job in explaining. If you have any doubts you can post them here, I'm sure any of us will be glad to help.

I think that he means that he does not know how to right fractions in a computer. Thats ok, I dont either. Except using a "/"

[Guest]

to solve a fractional surd, you always multiply by the denominator first. This will give a whole number on the bottom, meaning you can then simplify just like a normal fraction IDNE gave a good explaination

[Guest]

I think that he means that he does not know how to right fractions in a computer. Thats ok, I dont either. Except using a "/"

Oh, I get it... I misunderstood

to solve a fractional surd, you always multiply by the denominator first. This will give a whole number on the bottom, meaning you can then simplify just like a normal fraction IDNE gave a good explaination

Not necesarily (always), you need to multiply the denominator by an expression that will make the denominator a whole number.

I.e. 2/[5+sqrt(3)] is not solvable by multiplying by the denominator.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

[Guest]

Oh, I get it... I misunderstood

Not necesarily (always), you need to multiply the denominator by an expression that will make the denominator a whole number.

I.e. 2/[5+sqrt(3)] is not solvable by multiplying by the denominator.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

No, you are correct. You would have to multiply that number by (5-sqrt(3))/(5-sqrt(3)), which would make the problem look like this....

10-2*(sqrt3)

--------------

22

Which can be simplified to....

5+(sqrt3)

-----------

11

[Guest]

No, you are correct. You would have to multiply that number by (5-sqrt(3))/(5-sqrt(3)), which would make the problem look like this....

10-2*(sqrt3)

--------------

22

Which can be simplified to....

5+(sqrt3)

-----------

11

Yup, exactly what I meant....

I think you should change the + (plus) for a minus (-) in the last equation...

[Guest]

No, you are correct. You would have to multiply that number by (5-sqrt(3))/(5-sqrt(3)), which would make the problem look like this....

10-2*(sqrt3)

--------------

22

Which can be simplified to....

5-(sqrt3)

-----------

11

EDIT: whoops...

[Guest]

No, you are correct. You would have to multiply that number by (5-sqrt(3))/(5-sqrt(3)), which would make the problem look like this....

10-2*(sqrt3)

--------------

22

Which can be simplified to....

5-(sqrt3)

-----------

11

EDIT: whoops...

Don't worry, it happens to everybody... Believe me!!!

[Guest]

Don't worry, it happens to everybody... Believe me!!!

Yea, I know what I am doing, but I make little mistakes like that all the time. It is the biggest reason that I get anything less than a 100% on my math quizzes and tests.

[Guest]

Yea, I know what I am doing, but I make little mistakes like that all the time. It is the biggest reason that I get anything less than a 100% on my math quizzes and tests.

You're definitely not alone... I've struggled for hours to find out that a sign was the whole problem... AHHH <_<

Anyways, I think we learn to check the details with that kind of lessons...

[rookie1ja]

guys, purpose of this topic is to help yellowsubmarine understand something ... he should be explained the process and he could be hinted at the solution ... ideally, 1 person should explain the process and give hints in 1 post and if needed guide the OP further

so this topic is not here to:

1. give exact answer

2. debate between other members

I strongly advise to follow the rules

[Guest]

Surd form just means the simplified form of the equation.

Well, the first thing you need to do is to get that square root out of the denominator. To do this, you must multiply √2 by both the denominator and the numerator, which will look like this....

(2+√2)*√2

-------

√2*√2

You do this because multiplying a square root by itself will result in a whole number and you have to modify both the top and the bottom to keep the equation the same. do you think that you would be able to take it from there? Simplify it, i mean? I will post the answer in a spoiler so that you can check it when you are finished. If you cannot figure out how to do it, let me know.

1+√2

Thanks IDoNotExist, that was of much help