Chapter 3: Problem 20
In \(3-41\) , express each product in simplest form. Variables in the radicand with an even index are non-negative. $$ \sqrt{\frac{x}{2}} \cdot \sqrt{\frac{x^{2}}{2}} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The simplest form is \( \frac{x \cdot \sqrt{x}}{2} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
The expression to be simplified is the product of two square roots: \( \sqrt{\frac{x}{2}} \cdot \sqrt{\frac{x^{2}}{2}} \). We need to combine and simplify this expression.
02
Use the Product Property of Square Roots
According to the product property of square roots, for non-negative real numbers, \( \sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b} = \sqrt{ab} \). Apply this property to combine the square roots: \( \sqrt{\frac{x}{2} \cdot \frac{x^{2}}{2}} \).
03
Multiply the Radicands
Multiply the radicands (expressions under the square roots): \( \frac{x}{2} \cdot \frac{x^{2}}{2} = \frac{x \cdot x^{2}}{2 \cdot 2} = \frac{x^{3}}{4} \). Now, the expression is \( \sqrt{\frac{x^{3}}{4}} \).
04
Simplify the Square Root
Split the square root of a fraction into the square root of the numerator and the square root of the denominator: \( \sqrt{\frac{x^{3}}{4}} = \frac{\sqrt{x^{3}}}{\sqrt{4}} \). Since \( \sqrt{4} = 2 \), the expression becomes \( \frac{\sqrt{x^{3}}}{2} \).
05
Simplify the Square Root of the Numerator
Simplify \( \sqrt{x^{3}} \) by rewriting it using its factors: \( \sqrt{x^{3}} = \sqrt{x^{2} \cdot x} = \sqrt{x^{2}} \cdot \sqrt{x} = x \cdot \sqrt{x} \) because \( \sqrt{x^{2}} = x \).
06
Write the Final Simplified Expression
Substitute the simplified \( \sqrt{x^{3}} \) back into the expression: \( \frac{x \cdot \sqrt{x}}{2} \). This is the simplest form.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Product Property of Square Roots
The product property of square roots is a super handy tool. It tells us how to combine square roots when they are multiplying each other. This property states that for any non-negative numbers, you can multiply the numbers under the square roots first, then take the square root.
In formula form, it’s expressed as \(\sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b} = \sqrt{ab}.\)This rule helps simplify expressions by reducing the number of square roots we have to deal with.
For example, if you have \(\sqrt{2} \cdot \sqrt{3},\) using this property gives \(\sqrt{6}.\) In our exercise, we applied this property to combine \(\sqrt{\frac{x}{2}}\) and \(\sqrt{\frac{x^{2}}{2}}.\) After combining, it became\(\sqrt{\frac{x^{3}}{4}}\).
In formula form, it’s expressed as \(\sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b} = \sqrt{ab}.\)This rule helps simplify expressions by reducing the number of square roots we have to deal with.
For example, if you have \(\sqrt{2} \cdot \sqrt{3},\) using this property gives \(\sqrt{6}.\) In our exercise, we applied this property to combine \(\sqrt{\frac{x}{2}}\) and \(\sqrt{\frac{x^{2}}{2}}.\) After combining, it became\(\sqrt{\frac{x^{3}}{4}}\).
Radicands
Radicands are what live under the square root symbol. When simplifying radicals, understanding the radicand's structure is crucial.
For instance, in the square root \(\sqrt{\frac{x^{3}}{4}},\) the radicand is \(\frac{x^{3}}{4}.\) Sometimes, to simplify expressions, we need to manipulate these radicands.
In our step-by-step process, we multiplied the radicands \(\frac{x}{2}\) and \(\frac{x^{2}}{2}\)to get \(\frac{x^{3}}{4}.\) By simplifying the radicand correctly, you make it easier to eventually work out the square root.
For instance, in the square root \(\sqrt{\frac{x^{3}}{4}},\) the radicand is \(\frac{x^{3}}{4}.\) Sometimes, to simplify expressions, we need to manipulate these radicands.
In our step-by-step process, we multiplied the radicands \(\frac{x}{2}\) and \(\frac{x^{2}}{2}\)to get \(\frac{x^{3}}{4}.\) By simplifying the radicand correctly, you make it easier to eventually work out the square root.
Square Root of a Fraction
Finding the square root of a fraction can look tricky, but it's just about breaking it down into smaller parts. You can separate the square root of a fraction like \(\sqrt{\frac{a}{b}}\) into two parts, \(\frac{\sqrt{a}}{\sqrt{b}}.\) This helps simplify the calculation because you deal with the top and bottom individually.
In the exercise, we turned \(\sqrt{\frac{x^{3}}{4}}\) into \(\frac{\sqrt{x^{3}}}{\sqrt{4}}.\) Since \(\sqrt{4} = 2,\)this became \(\frac{\sqrt{x^{3}}}{2}.\) This step helps prepare to simplify each part further.
In the exercise, we turned \(\sqrt{\frac{x^{3}}{4}}\) into \(\frac{\sqrt{x^{3}}}{\sqrt{4}}.\) Since \(\sqrt{4} = 2,\)this became \(\frac{\sqrt{x^{3}}}{2}.\) This step helps prepare to simplify each part further.
Simplifying Square Roots with Variables
Variables under a square root can seem a bit scary at first, but there’s a method to manage them. When facing a square root with variables like \(\sqrt{x^{3}},\) break it down to its factors.
For example, express it as \(\sqrt{x^{2} \cdot x},\) which becomes \(\sqrt{x^{2}} \cdot \sqrt{x}.\) Here, \(\sqrt{x^{2}} = x,\) so you get \(\ x \cdot \sqrt{x}.\)
In the original problem, breaking down \(\sqrt{x^{3}}\) simplifies our expression to \(\frac{x \cdot \sqrt{x}}{2}.\) Understanding this process transforms a complicated radical into something more digestible.
For example, express it as \(\sqrt{x^{2} \cdot x},\) which becomes \(\sqrt{x^{2}} \cdot \sqrt{x}.\) Here, \(\sqrt{x^{2}} = x,\) so you get \(\ x \cdot \sqrt{x}.\)
In the original problem, breaking down \(\sqrt{x^{3}}\) simplifies our expression to \(\frac{x \cdot \sqrt{x}}{2}.\) Understanding this process transforms a complicated radical into something more digestible.