i need to put 202 over 256 in radical expression in slimplest form

Question

e.mccormick · Answer

OK.  So start factoring them.  Every time two factors match, you can putt them out.  The obvious start is with powers of 2 because they are even.  As a bigger hint, 256 is $2^{something}$ so it will simplify a lot!

e.mccormick · Answer

putt... doh!  Pull.  As in $\sqrt{20}=\sqrt{5\times 2\times 2}=2\sqrt{5}$ where I pulled out a pair of 2s.

anonymous · Answer

wait dpnt the factors have to be a prefect square

anonymous · Answer

i no its something over 16

e.mccormick · Answer

For a factor to come out, it needs to be a square.  But with the root 20 example, you can see how some came out and some stayed in.

anonymous · Answer

so would 2 times 5 squared go over 16 (my computer wont let me put the radical sign)

anonymous · Answer

but wait its 202 not 20 were did u get 20

e.mccormick · Answer

I jsut used 20 as an example.  202 is 101*2, and 101 is a prime, so it just does not go anywhere and stays as the root of 202.

e.mccormick · Answer

So you actually knew the answer:$$\frac{\sqrt{202}}{16}$$

anonymous · Answer

oh ok thx its some much clearere now

e.mccormick · Answer

Yah, I should have said "As an example" rahter than just "as in"  Might have confused you less.