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Maths: Roots - simplifying

I'm trying to learn Surds but its tricky and way too many roots everywhere, and I'm confused at simplifying.

Here's the question:

Work out: (6+√ 3)(6-√3) / 33
Give your answer in its simplest form.
I've worked out the top part of the equation. 36 - 6√ 3 + 6√ 3 - 3
Now how do I simplify it I'm confused, please tell me how to simplify it.
And any tips on Surds it's really confusing.

Sorry about the title I forgot to put 'Surds' in.

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1
look on youtube plenty of tutorials
Reply 2
Original post by MrFox
I'm trying to learn Surds but its tricky and way too many roots everywhere, and I'm confused at simplifying.

Here's the question:

Work out: (6+√ 3)(6-√3) / 33
Give your answer in its simplest form.
I've worked out the top part of the equation. 36 - 6√ 3 + 6√ 3 - 3
Now how do I simplify it I'm confused, please tell me how to simplify it.
And any tips on Surds it's really confusing.

Sorry about the title I forgot to put 'Surds' in.


Evaluating 3663+63336-6\sqrt{3} + 6\sqrt{3} -3 yields 33 as your numerator.
You now have:
3333\dfrac{33}{\sqrt{33}}
How many times does 33\sqrt{33} go into 33?
Reply 3
Original post by MrFox
I'm trying to learn Surds but its tricky and way too many roots everywhere, and I'm confused at simplifying.

Here's the question:

Work out: (6+√ 3)(6-√3) / 33
Give your answer in its simplest form.
I've worked out the top part of the equation. 36 - 6√ 3 + 6√ 3 - 3
Now how do I simplify it I'm confused, please tell me how to simplify it.
And any tips on Surds it's really confusing.

Sorry about the title I forgot to put 'Surds' in.


Well, from this, I think that the + and - 6 root 3 would cancel out leaving you with 36-3 which gives you 33 and then you divide it by 33 gives you 1. Does that help?


Posted from TSR Mobile
The numerator becomes 33

so 33/root33

multiply numerator and denominator by root 33

33root33/33 = root33
Reply 5
Oh, it root 33 my bad. Sorry man


Posted from TSR Mobile
Reply 6
Original post by joostan
Evaluating 3663+63336-6\sqrt{3} + 6\sqrt{3} -3 yields 33 as your numerator.
You now have:
3333\dfrac{33}{\sqrt{33}}
How many times does 33\sqrt{33} go into 33?


Thanks for the answer but how did you simplify it, that's what I desperately need to know.
Reply 7
Difference of two squares.

EDIT: nevermind, you've done that bit already.

Remember

xx=0x - x = 0

Likewise

x3x3=0x\sqrt3 - x\sqrt3 = 0
(edited 10 years ago)
Reply 8
Original post by MrFox
Thanks for the answer but how did you simplify it, that's what I desperately need to know.


3333=x\dfrac{33}{\sqrt{33}}=x
Now we ask ourselves what times 33\sqrt{33} is 33?

Spoiler

Reply 9
Original post by joostan
3333=x\dfrac{33}{\sqrt{33}}=x
Now we ask ourselves what times 33\sqrt{33} is 33?

Spoiler



How did you simplify my simplified equation into 33? Please help
Reply 10
Original post by MrFox
How did you simplify my simplified equation into 33? Please help


As I said: 33×33=33\sqrt{33} \times \sqrt{33} =33
If we divide both sides by 33\sqrt{33}, it follows that:
33=3333\sqrt{33}=\dfrac{33}{\sqrt{33}}
Reply 11
Original post by joostan
As I said: 33×33=33\sqrt{33} \times \sqrt{33} =33
If we divide both sides by 33\sqrt{33}, it follows that:
33=3333\sqrt{33}=\dfrac{33}{\sqrt{33}}


How did you get √33 (not the one under the equation the one you simplified. I dont know how to simplify it.
Reply 12
Original post by Exon
Difference of two squares.

EDIT: nevermind, you've done that bit already.

Remember

xx=0x - x = 0

Likewise

x3x3=0x\sqrt3 - x\sqrt3 = 0


But its -6√3 + 6√3 it has a plus.
Reply 13
Original post by MrFox
How did you get √33 (not the one under the equation the one you simplified. I dont know how to simplify it.


The square root of a number is another number that you have to multiply by itself to get the original number.

Does that help?
Reply 14
Original post by MrFox
But its -6√3 + 6√3 it has a plus.


It's the same thing written backwards.

-6√3 + 6√3 = 6√3 - 6√3
=/9 - /9
=3 - 3
=0

A positive and a negative number, if they're the same cancels out each other


Posted from TSR Mobile
Reply 16
Original post by Exon
The square root of a number is another number that you have to multiply by itself to get the original number.

Does that help?


Ahh I'm not phrasing it correctly I think. I mean how did you get '√33'
from '36-6√3+6√3-3' by simplifying it? What is the process of simplifying, that's what I'm stuck on, how to 'simplify' it, not answer it just the simplifying part.
Struggling with surds? LOL NOOB :colone:
Reply 18
Original post by MrFox
Ahh I'm not phrasing it correctly I think. I mean how did you get '√33'
from '36-6√3+6√3-3' by simplifying it? What is the process of simplifying, that's what I'm stuck on, how to 'simplify' it, not answer it just the simplifying part.


6√3 and -6√3 cancel out. 36-3 = 33.
Reply 19
Original post by Exon
6√3 and -6√3 cancel out. 36-3 = 33.


Yes! I understand that part now :smile: hurray , but why does that cancel out?

-6√3+6√3 hmm confuses me I dont get why it cancels out

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