Write in simplest radical form:
Look for the largest perfect-square factor. Factor completely: . The perfect squares dividing are and , so the largest useful one is :
Using the largest square in one step avoids having to simplify twice.
Split the radical over the product. For non-negative and , :
Extract the exact root. , so
Confirm it is fully simplified. The remaining radicand is prime, so it contains no square factor and nothing further can come out. That is the definition of simplest radical form.
Check numerically. , so ; and a direct computation gives ✓. As a rough sanity check, lies between and , so the answer must sit just under .
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