Chapter 10: Problem 25
Perform the operation and simplify. Assume all variables represent non negative real numbers. $$\sqrt{32}-3 \sqrt{8}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The simplified expression is \(-2\sqrt{2}\).
Step by step solution
01
Simplify the first square root
To simplify the square root of 32, we'll find the prime factorization of 32: \(32 = 2^5\). Since there are 5 factors of 2, we can take out two pairs of 2 from the square root:
\[\sqrt{32} = \sqrt{2^5} = 2^2\sqrt{2} = 4\sqrt{2}\]
02
Simplify the second square root
To simplify the square root of 8, we'll find the prime factorization of 8: \(8 = 2^3\). Since there are 3 factors of 2, we can take out one pair of 2 from the square root:
\[\sqrt{8} = \sqrt{2^3} = 2\sqrt{2}\]
03
Perform the subtraction
Now that we have simplified the square roots, we can perform the subtraction:
\(4\sqrt{2} - 3\sqrt{8} = 4\sqrt{2} - 3(2\sqrt{2})\)
Since both terms have a common factor of \(\sqrt{2}\), we can further simplify:
\(4\sqrt{2} - 6\sqrt{2} = (4-6)\sqrt{2} = -2\sqrt{2}\)
04
Final Answer
The simplified expression is \(-2\sqrt{2}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Square Roots
Square roots are a fundamental concept in mathematics, representing a number that, when multiplied by itself, results in the original number. For example, the square root of 4 is 2, because 2 multiplied by 2 equals 4. Square roots are symbolized by the radical sign \(\sqrt{}\).
Understanding square roots is essential for simplifying expressions, like in the given problem: \(\sqrt{32}-3 \sqrt{8}\). Here, the objective is to simplify each square root before performing any operations.
When simplifying square roots,
Understanding square roots is essential for simplifying expressions, like in the given problem: \(\sqrt{32}-3 \sqrt{8}\). Here, the objective is to simplify each square root before performing any operations.
When simplifying square roots,
- Identify perfect squares within the number.
- Factorize the number to find these perfect squares.
- Extract the square root of perfect squares so they sit outside the radical.
Prime Factorization
Prime factorization is the process of breaking down a number into its basic building blocks, which are prime numbers. A prime number is any number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself. Understanding prime factorization is crucial for simplifying radical expressions.
When factoring a number, like 32 in the first step of the original solution, the goal is to express it as a product of prime numbers:
When factoring a number, like 32 in the first step of the original solution, the goal is to express it as a product of prime numbers:
- For 32, the prime factorization is \(2^5\) because 32 can be written as \(2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 2\).
- For 8, the prime factorization is \(2^3\) as 8 is \(2 \times 2 \times 2\).
Algebraic Operations
Algebraic operations involve manipulating expressions using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. When dealing with radical expressions, proper simplification through prime factorization and recognizing common factors play a vital role in performing these operations.
In expressions like \(4\sqrt{2} - 3\sqrt{8}\), simplifying each term first allows us to combine them effectively:
In expressions like \(4\sqrt{2} - 3\sqrt{8}\), simplifying each term first allows us to combine them effectively:
- Simplify each square root individually by using prime factorization.
- Identify common terms or factors, like \(\sqrt{2}\) in this example.
- Perform operations such as subtraction or addition only on the coefficients of the radicals.