Question

Simplify: 5√2 + 4√2

Answer 1

5 apples + 4 apples = ? apples

Answer 2

9/2?

Answer 3

Yes\[9\sqrt{2}\]

Answer 4

Right, they are "like terms" provided that the root and the radicand (what is under the sq root sign) are the same.

So, for example:
\(3\sqrt{2} + 5 \sqrt{2}=8 \sqrt{2}\)

BUT:
\(3\sqrt{2} + 5 \sqrt{3}\) is fully simplified - they can't be combined, not like terms.