Chapter 15: Problem 22
Simplify \(\sqrt{8} \cdot \sqrt{9}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The simplified expression is \(6\sqrt{2}\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Product of Square Roots
The expression is \( \sqrt{8} \cdot \sqrt{9} \). To simplify this, we can use the property of square roots that states \(\sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b} = \sqrt{a \cdot b}\) for any non-negative numbers \(a\) and \(b\).
02
Apply the Square Root Property
Using the property, we combine the square roots: \( \sqrt{8} \cdot \sqrt{9} = \sqrt{8 \times 9}.\)
03
Multiply the Numbers Under the Square Root
Calculate the product inside the square root: \( 8 \times 9 = 72. \) So we have \( \sqrt{72}.\)
04
Simplify the Square Root
Now, simplify \(\sqrt{72}\). First, factor 72 into its prime factors: \(72 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 3 \times 3 = 8 \times 9\). We can write this as \(\sqrt{8 \times 9}\) or \(\sqrt{2^3 \times 3^2}\).
05
Extract Square Roots of Perfect Squares
Rewrite \(\sqrt{2^3 \times 3^2}\) as \(\sqrt{2^2 \times 2 \times 3^2}\). Take the square roots of the perfect squares out of the square root: \(\sqrt{2^2} = 2\) and \(\sqrt{3^2} = 3\). Thus, \(2 \times 3 \times \sqrt{2} = 6\sqrt{2}.\)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding the Product of Square Roots
When you encounter expressions like \( \sqrt{8} \cdot \sqrt{9} \), it might seem complex at first, but there's actually a straightforward property you can use. The product of square roots rule helps simplify expressions of this kind. It states: \( \sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b} = \sqrt{a \cdot b} \). This means you can multiply the numbers under the roots first, and then take the square root of the result.
Here's a simple way to think about it:
Here's a simple way to think about it:
- Mention the individual square roots.
- Notice how they can be combined under a single square root.
- Simplify the entire expression under one roof, literally and mathematically!
Applying the Square Root Property
The square root property used in this problem helps us see \( \sqrt{8} \cdot \sqrt{9} \) differently. By combining these roots, you simplify the expression to \( \sqrt{8 \times 9} \). This transformation is key because it consolidates the problem to a single square root, making it easier to handle later steps.
Remember that:
Remember that:
- This property only holds for non-negative numbers.
- It saves time by reducing the number of operations you need to perform.
- Applying this consistently can make your work on square root problems much more efficient.
Delving into Prime Factorization
Simplifying expressions like \( \sqrt{72} \) often requires breaking the number down into its prime factors. Prime factorization is a technique where you express a number as a product of its prime numbers, which can help you identify squares within the factorization that can be simplified further.
For \( 72 \), the prime factorization is:
For \( 72 \), the prime factorization is:
- \( 72 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 \times 3 \times 3 \)
- This can be rewritten as \( 2^3 \times 3^2 \).
- Square root of \( 2^2 \) is \( 2 \).
- Square root of \( 3^2 \) is \( 3 \).