Algebra · real student question

Expand and simplify root 6 times (2 - root 7).

Question

Expand and simplify

6(27).\sqrt{6}\left(2-\sqrt{7}\right).

Step-by-step solution

  1. Distribute the radical across the bracket. A square root multiplies like any other factor:

    6(27)=6267.\sqrt{6}\left(2-\sqrt{7}\right)=\sqrt{6}\cdot 2-\sqrt{6}\cdot\sqrt{7}.

  2. Handle the rational multiple. The first term is just a coefficient times a surd, conventionally written with the number in front:

    62=26.\sqrt{6}\cdot 2=2\sqrt{6}.

  3. Combine the two radicals using the product rule. For non-negative aa and bb, ab=ab\sqrt{a}\sqrt{b}=\sqrt{ab}:

    67=42.\sqrt{6}\cdot\sqrt{7}=\sqrt{42}.

  4. Check whether either surd simplifies further. 6=236=2\cdot 3 and 42=23742=2\cdot 3\cdot 7 — neither contains a repeated prime factor, so neither has a square factor to pull out. Both are already in simplest surd form.

  5. Write the answer and confirm it cannot be combined.

    2642.2\sqrt{6}-\sqrt{42}.

    The two terms have different radicands, so they are not like terms and cannot be added. Numerically, 2(2.449490)6.480741=1.5817612(2.449490)-6.480741=-1.581761, and the original 2.449490(22.645751)=1.5817612.449490(2-2.645751)=-1.581761 — a match to every digit shown.

Answer

26422\sqrt{6}-\sqrt{42}

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