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Mathematics 8 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

Please help in simplifying.

OpenStudy (shane_b):

Simplify what?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

|dw:1339908667834:dw|

OpenStudy (kinggeorge):

First, square it to get \[3+2\sqrt2\]Now, notice that since 2+1=3 and \(2\cdot1=2\), we have that \[3+2\sqrt2=(\sqrt1+\sqrt2)^2=(1+\sqrt2)^2\]Since we square our expression at first, now take the square root to get that \[\sqrt{3+2\sqrt2}=1+\sqrt2\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

So |dw:1339908868865:dw| would be 1 - root2?

OpenStudy (kinggeorge):

I believe so.

OpenStudy (kinggeorge):

Actually, it wouldn't. Since \(1-\sqrt2<0\), and we can't have that. Therefore, it must be \(\sqrt2-1\).

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Thanks @KingGeorge . I forgot that a-b)^2 and (b-a)^2 are the same for a moment.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

\[3 - 2\sqrt{2} = (1)^2 + (\sqrt{2})^2 - 2(1)(\sqrt{2})\] So, \[3 - 2\sqrt{2} = (\sqrt{2} - 1)^2\] Take the square root of this, you will have your answer...

OpenStudy (kinggeorge):

Well, I guess it could be \(1-\sqrt2\) since square roots can be negative, so technically, it would be better to say that it's \[\pm(1-\sqrt2)\]Likewise, for the first problem, it would be more technically correct to say that it's\[\pm(1+\sqrt2)\]

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