Use the product rule to simplify the following expression. Assume that variables represent nonnegative real numbers.
Decide what "simplified" means for a radical. A square root is simplified when no perfect-square factor is left under the radical sign. The exponent is odd, so it cannot come out whole — but the largest even part of it can. That is the entire strategy: split off the biggest perfect square hiding inside .
Rewrite the radicand as a perfect square times a leftover. Since ,
Apply the product rule for radicals. For nonnegative and ,
so
The nonnegativity assumption in the problem statement is exactly what licenses this split.
Simplify the perfect-square factor. In general , but the problem states , so the absolute value is unnecessary:
Hence
Confirm the result is fully simplified and check a value. The remaining radicand is to the first power, which has no perfect-square factor, so the job is done. Numerically, at the original is and the simplified form is ; at both give .
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