Chapter 6: Problem 4
Simplify and reduce each expression. $$ \frac{-9 \pm \sqrt{54}}{3} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Final result: \( -3 \pm \sqrt{6} \).
Step by step solution
01
Simplify the Square Root
First, simplify the square root of 54. We know that 54 can be factored into 9 and 6, where 9 is a perfect square. Thus, \( \sqrt{54} = \sqrt{9 \times 6} = \sqrt{9} \times \sqrt{6} = 3\sqrt{6} \).
02
Substitute and Simplify
Substitute \( \sqrt{54} \) with \( 3\sqrt{6} \) in the expression. Now we have: \[ \frac{-9 \pm 3\sqrt{6}}{3} \].
03
Split the Fraction into Two Parts
Split the expression \( \frac{-9 \pm 3\sqrt{6}}{3} \) into two separate fractions: \( \frac{-9}{3} \pm \frac{3\sqrt{6}}{3} \).
04
Simplify Each Fraction
Simplify each fraction separately: - \( \frac{-9}{3} = -3 \).- \( \frac{3\sqrt{6}}{3} = \sqrt{6} \), because the 3's cancel each other out.
05
Combine Simplified Expressions
Combine the simplified terms: \[ -3 \pm \sqrt{6} \]. This is the simplified form of the original expression.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Square Roots
A square root is essentially the opposite of squaring a number. For example, if we square 3, we get 9. Then, the square root of 9 is 3. In mathematical terms, the square root of a number, say \( x \), is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives \( x \).
To simplify a square root, you look for perfect square factors of the number under the root. A perfect square is any number that is the square of an integer.
To simplify a square root, you look for perfect square factors of the number under the root. A perfect square is any number that is the square of an integer.
- In our exercise, we simplified \( \sqrt{54} \).
- Since 54 is equal to \( 9 \times 6 \), and 9 is a perfect square, it simplifies to \( 3\sqrt{6} \).
Factoring
Factoring is simply breaking down a number or an expression into its component parts or 'factors'. These are numbers or expressions you can multiply together to get the original number or expression. It's a crucial concept in algebra that helps simplify various expressions.
Factoring often involves techniques such as:
Factoring often involves techniques such as:
- Finding greatest common factors
- Factoring trinomials
- Decomposing expressions into products of simpler expressions
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is a steadfast method used to solve quadratic equations. A quadratic equation is any equation that can be written in the form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \). The quadratic formula comes to the rescue, providing solutions at a glance. Here it is:\[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]The elements inside the formula:
- \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are numbers from your quadratic equation.
- The symbol \( \pm \) indicates that the formula gives two possible solutions.
Fractions
Fractions involve numbers in the form of \( \frac{numerator}{denominator} \). They often require simplification for cleaner, more manageable expressions. Simplifying fractions involves reducing them to their simplest form.
- This is done by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
- \( \frac{-9}{3} = -3 \) simplifies beautifully.
- \( \frac{3\sqrt{6}}{3} \) simplifies to \( \sqrt{6} \), with 3s canceling out.