Question

Simplify if possible. If an expression cannot be simplified, write "not possible" as the answer.

3√2-2√3

Answer 1

\[3=\sqrt{3}\sqrt{3}\] and \[2= \sqrt{2}\sqrt{2}\] can you simplify it now?

Answer 2

No, I'm still really confused.

Answer 3

\[\sqrt{3}\sqrt{3}\sqrt{2}-\sqrt{2}\sqrt{2}\sqrt{3}= \]

Answer 4

now?

Answer 5

Oh god.

Answer 6

I have no idea what is going on in this problem.

Answer 7

\[\sqrt{3}*\sqrt{2}(\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{2})\]

Answer 8

do I multiply 3 with the square root of 2?

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

\[\sqrt{6}(\sqrt{3}-\sqrt{2})\]

Answer 11

is it clear now?

Answer 12

No, I'm still really lost.

Answer 13

i have just broken 3 =\[\sqrt{3}*\sqrt{3}\] similarly 2 and then took common from them..check out the above comments

Answer 14

I just need to mainly know the order of how to solve the problem. I don't want it rearranged or reworded, I just wanna know if it should look something like this... 3(√2)-2(√3)

Answer 15

√2= 1.41, correct?

Answer 16

yes that is what i have done....i have simplified it further....but it is fine too...and yes that's correct

Answer 17

ok, so then 3 multiplied by the √2 would be like... 4.24?

Answer 18

yes..

Answer 19

so would I take (4.24)-(2(√3))?

Answer 20

4.24-3.46?

Answer 21

you can also take \[2\sqrt{3}=2*1.732=3.46\]

Answer 22

yes,now subtract and find the exact value

Answer 23

so the answer would be .78?

Answer 24

yes

Answer 25

Changing irrationals into decimals is generally frowned upon by math instructors. What you started with is about as simple as it gets. You can change it a little, but not make it "simpler". I think your answer was "not possible".

Answer 26

well it is possible, it's just frowned upon, yes?

Answer 27

Actually, it is not possible to represent an irrational number as a decimal accurately. You must round.

Answer 28

to the nearest 10th, or what?

Answer 29

Rounding makes it wrong.

Answer 30

I don't wanna put down not possible though and then they get upset that I didn't try and simplify it.

Answer 31

is it breaking any mathematical rules or laws to turn these into decimals?

Answer 32

Ghazi had great ideas for manipulating it... but I think that is your answer.

Answer 33

well it's better to leave it under square roots....but it's fine if you have to reduce it further

Answer 34

because they ask me for the square root of 3, and 5, and 6 multiple times in future questions.

Answer 35

Do they give you advice on how to round for those... like "to the nearest..."

Answer 36

No, they don't tell me anything, which is why I'm a little flustered about it.

Answer 37

Good point.

Answer 38

they do have an example... √0.09= 0.3

Answer 39

A math teacher usually wants exact... meaning with the radicals. An engineer or scientist would round, so they can use it in real life.

Answer 40

Your example is exact.

Answer 41

so should I round to the nearest tenth... or?

Answer 42

.8?

Answer 43

I would mark it wrong. If I were your instructor, I would be looking for "not possible".

Answer 44

ok, I guess that's what I'll put