Chapter 11: Problem 60
Write each expression in simplest radical form. If \(a\) radical appears in the denominator, rationalize the denominator. $$\sqrt{x^{2}+8^{-1}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The simplified form is \(\frac{\sqrt{64x^2 + 8}}{8}\).
Step by step solution
01
Simplify Inside the Square Root
First, we will simplify the expression inside the square root. The given expression is \(\sqrt{x^2 + 8^{-1}}\). Recall that \(8^{-1}\) can be rewritten as \(\frac{1}{8}\). Therefore, the expression inside the square root becomes \(x^2 + \frac{1}{8}\).
02
Write as a Single Fraction
Next, we need to express \(x^2 + \frac{1}{8}\) as a single fraction. To do this, express \(x^2\) with a denominator of 8: \(\frac{8x^2}{8}\). This allows us to add these two terms: \(\frac{8x^2}{8} + \frac{1}{8} = \frac{8x^2 + 1}{8}\).
03
Simplify the Square Root Expression
Now, we take the square root of \(\frac{8x^2 + 1}{8}\). This can be expressed as a fraction: \(\sqrt{\frac{8x^2 + 1}{8}} = \frac{\sqrt{8x^2 + 1}}{\sqrt{8}}\).
04
Rationalize the Denominator
To remove the square root from the denominator, multiply the numerator and the denominator by \(\sqrt{8}\). Thus, \(\frac{\sqrt{8x^2 + 1}}{\sqrt{8}} \times \frac{\sqrt{8}}{\sqrt{8}} = \frac{\sqrt{8(8x^2 + 1)}}{8}\).
05
Finalize the Expression
Finally, simplify the numerator as much as possible. The expression becomes \(\frac{\sqrt{64x^2 + 8}}{8}\). Since 64 is a perfect square, this can further be expressed in simplest form as \(\frac{\sqrt{64x^2 + 8}}{8}\), but \(8\) cannot be simplified further inside the radical involving x.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Rationalizing the Denominator
Rationalizing the denominator is a crucial process in simplifying expressions containing square roots in the denominator. This method makes the expression easier to work with and avoids having irrational numbers in denominators.
To rationalize a denominator, we multiply both the numerator and the denominator by a value that will eliminate the square root from the denominator.
To rationalize a denominator, we multiply both the numerator and the denominator by a value that will eliminate the square root from the denominator.
- In our example, we had \(\frac{\sqrt{8x^2 + 1}}{\sqrt{8}}\) in the denominator.
- By multiplying by \(\sqrt{8}\), the expression became: \(\frac{\sqrt{8x^2 + 1} \times \sqrt{8}}{\sqrt{8} \times \sqrt{8}} = \frac{\sqrt{64x^2 + 8}}{8}\).
Square Roots
Understanding square roots is key in simplifying radical expressions. A square root simply involves finding a number which, when multiplied by itself, gives the original number.
Square roots are common in algebra and are essential when dealing with expressions under a radical symbol.
Square roots are common in algebra and are essential when dealing with expressions under a radical symbol.
- The square root of a perfect square results in a whole number. For instance, \(\sqrt{64} = 8\) because 8 times 8 equals 64.
- Numbers which aren't perfect squares have an irrational square root, like \(\sqrt{8}\) which can't be simplified into a non-decimal number.
Fraction Operations
Fraction operations play an important role in working with expressions that involve denominators. They require a clear understanding of how to manage numerators and denominators.In the given exercise, transforming the expression inside the square root into a single fraction was essential:
Being proficient with fraction operations ensures that more complex expressions can be managed without making errors that could lead to incorrect simplifications.
- We transformed \(x^2 + \frac{1}{8}\) into \(\frac{8x^2 + 1}{8}\) by converting \(x^2\) to \(\frac{8x^2}{8}\).
Being proficient with fraction operations ensures that more complex expressions can be managed without making errors that could lead to incorrect simplifications.