Struggling to simplify $w^{3/2}sqrt{32} - w^{3/2}sqrt{50}$ to $-wsqrt{2w}$
$begingroup$
I'm asked to simplify $w^{3/2}sqrt{32} - w^{3/2}sqrt{50}$ and am provided with the solution: $-wsqrt{2w}$
I arrived at $9sqrt{2}$ but I think I'm confused in understanding communitive rule here.
Here is my working:
$w^{3/2}sqrt{32} - w^{3/2}sqrt{50}$ = $sqrt{w^3}sqrt{32}$ - $sqrt{w^3}sqrt{50}$ # is this correct approach? I made the radical exponent a radical
Then:
$sqrt{32}$ = $sqrt{4}$ * $sqrt{4}$ * $sqrt{2}$ = $2 * 2 * sqrt{2}$ = $4sqrt{2}$
$sqrt{50}$ = $sqrt{2}$ * $sqrt{25}$ = $5sqrt{2}$
So:
$sqrt{w^3}$$4sqrt{2}$ - $sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}$ # should the expressions on either side of the minus sign be considered a single factor? i.e. could I also write as ($sqrt{w^3}$$4sqrt{2}$) - ($sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}$) )?
Then I'm less sure about where to go next. Since I have a positive $sqrt{w^3}$ and a negative $sqrt{w^3}$ I cancelled those out and was thus left with $9sqrt{2}$.
More generally I was not sure of how to approach this and could not fin a justification for taking the path that I did.
How can I arrive at $-wsqrt{2w}$ per the text book's solution?
algebra-precalculus
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I'm asked to simplify $w^{3/2}sqrt{32} - w^{3/2}sqrt{50}$ and am provided with the solution: $-wsqrt{2w}$
I arrived at $9sqrt{2}$ but I think I'm confused in understanding communitive rule here.
Here is my working:
$w^{3/2}sqrt{32} - w^{3/2}sqrt{50}$ = $sqrt{w^3}sqrt{32}$ - $sqrt{w^3}sqrt{50}$ # is this correct approach? I made the radical exponent a radical
Then:
$sqrt{32}$ = $sqrt{4}$ * $sqrt{4}$ * $sqrt{2}$ = $2 * 2 * sqrt{2}$ = $4sqrt{2}$
$sqrt{50}$ = $sqrt{2}$ * $sqrt{25}$ = $5sqrt{2}$
So:
$sqrt{w^3}$$4sqrt{2}$ - $sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}$ # should the expressions on either side of the minus sign be considered a single factor? i.e. could I also write as ($sqrt{w^3}$$4sqrt{2}$) - ($sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}$) )?
Then I'm less sure about where to go next. Since I have a positive $sqrt{w^3}$ and a negative $sqrt{w^3}$ I cancelled those out and was thus left with $9sqrt{2}$.
More generally I was not sure of how to approach this and could not fin a justification for taking the path that I did.
How can I arrive at $-wsqrt{2w}$ per the text book's solution?
algebra-precalculus
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I'm asked to simplify $w^{3/2}sqrt{32} - w^{3/2}sqrt{50}$ and am provided with the solution: $-wsqrt{2w}$
I arrived at $9sqrt{2}$ but I think I'm confused in understanding communitive rule here.
Here is my working:
$w^{3/2}sqrt{32} - w^{3/2}sqrt{50}$ = $sqrt{w^3}sqrt{32}$ - $sqrt{w^3}sqrt{50}$ # is this correct approach? I made the radical exponent a radical
Then:
$sqrt{32}$ = $sqrt{4}$ * $sqrt{4}$ * $sqrt{2}$ = $2 * 2 * sqrt{2}$ = $4sqrt{2}$
$sqrt{50}$ = $sqrt{2}$ * $sqrt{25}$ = $5sqrt{2}$
So:
$sqrt{w^3}$$4sqrt{2}$ - $sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}$ # should the expressions on either side of the minus sign be considered a single factor? i.e. could I also write as ($sqrt{w^3}$$4sqrt{2}$) - ($sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}$) )?
Then I'm less sure about where to go next. Since I have a positive $sqrt{w^3}$ and a negative $sqrt{w^3}$ I cancelled those out and was thus left with $9sqrt{2}$.
More generally I was not sure of how to approach this and could not fin a justification for taking the path that I did.
How can I arrive at $-wsqrt{2w}$ per the text book's solution?
algebra-precalculus
$endgroup$
I'm asked to simplify $w^{3/2}sqrt{32} - w^{3/2}sqrt{50}$ and am provided with the solution: $-wsqrt{2w}$
I arrived at $9sqrt{2}$ but I think I'm confused in understanding communitive rule here.
Here is my working:
$w^{3/2}sqrt{32} - w^{3/2}sqrt{50}$ = $sqrt{w^3}sqrt{32}$ - $sqrt{w^3}sqrt{50}$ # is this correct approach? I made the radical exponent a radical
Then:
$sqrt{32}$ = $sqrt{4}$ * $sqrt{4}$ * $sqrt{2}$ = $2 * 2 * sqrt{2}$ = $4sqrt{2}$
$sqrt{50}$ = $sqrt{2}$ * $sqrt{25}$ = $5sqrt{2}$
So:
$sqrt{w^3}$$4sqrt{2}$ - $sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}$ # should the expressions on either side of the minus sign be considered a single factor? i.e. could I also write as ($sqrt{w^3}$$4sqrt{2}$) - ($sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}$) )?
Then I'm less sure about where to go next. Since I have a positive $sqrt{w^3}$ and a negative $sqrt{w^3}$ I cancelled those out and was thus left with $9sqrt{2}$.
More generally I was not sure of how to approach this and could not fin a justification for taking the path that I did.
How can I arrive at $-wsqrt{2w}$ per the text book's solution?
algebra-precalculus
algebra-precalculus
asked Jan 6 at 17:44
Doug FirDoug Fir
3177
3177
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Your approach is absolutely right. But note that $$
begin{align}
sqrt{w^3}4sqrt{2}- sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}&=sqrt{w^3}(4sqrt{2}-5sqrt{2})\
&=-sqrt{w^3}sqrt{2}=-wsqrt{2w}.
end{align}$$
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Thanks for the answer, I follow and understand your solution. How is it that you knew to factor $sqrt{w^3}$? After I had rewritten $sqrt{32}$ as $4sqrt{2}$ and then $sqrt{50}$ as $5sqrt{2}$ I was stumped about next steps. Is this just a practice an intuition thing or is there a prescribed set of rules and order of operations that I'm missing?
$endgroup$
– Doug Fir
Jan 6 at 18:00
2
$begingroup$
Both terms have $sqrt{w^3}$ as a factor.
$endgroup$
– KM101
Jan 6 at 18:02
1
$begingroup$
Well, I used the distributive property $x (a+b)=xa+xb $. You may find this helpful.
$endgroup$
– Thomas Shelby
Jan 6 at 18:11
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You are on the right track to simplify $ w^frac{3}{2} sqrt{32} - w^frac{3}{2} sqrt{50} $ to as far as
$$mathrm{(1)} qquad sqrt{w^3} 4 sqrt{2} - sqrt{w^3} 5 sqrt{2} $$
I would make expression $ (1) $ neater and rewrite as
$$mathrm{(2)} qquad 4 sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} - 5 sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} $$
These two terms are alike, and combining the two yields
$$mathrm{(3)} qquad -sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} $$
According to one of the properties of radicals, $ sqrt{a} sqrt{b} = sqrt{ab} $. Using that property and rearranging,
$$mathrm{(4)} qquad -sqrt{2w^3} $$
Now $ w^3 $ can be expressed as a product involving a perfect square (i.e. $ w^2 $) and a non-perfect square ($ w $). Expression $ (4) $ becomes
$$mathrm{(5)} qquad -sqrt{2w w^2} $$
Simplify to get the desired result
$$ -w sqrt{2w} $$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
Your Answer
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Your approach is absolutely right. But note that $$
begin{align}
sqrt{w^3}4sqrt{2}- sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}&=sqrt{w^3}(4sqrt{2}-5sqrt{2})\
&=-sqrt{w^3}sqrt{2}=-wsqrt{2w}.
end{align}$$
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Thanks for the answer, I follow and understand your solution. How is it that you knew to factor $sqrt{w^3}$? After I had rewritten $sqrt{32}$ as $4sqrt{2}$ and then $sqrt{50}$ as $5sqrt{2}$ I was stumped about next steps. Is this just a practice an intuition thing or is there a prescribed set of rules and order of operations that I'm missing?
$endgroup$
– Doug Fir
Jan 6 at 18:00
2
$begingroup$
Both terms have $sqrt{w^3}$ as a factor.
$endgroup$
– KM101
Jan 6 at 18:02
1
$begingroup$
Well, I used the distributive property $x (a+b)=xa+xb $. You may find this helpful.
$endgroup$
– Thomas Shelby
Jan 6 at 18:11
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Your approach is absolutely right. But note that $$
begin{align}
sqrt{w^3}4sqrt{2}- sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}&=sqrt{w^3}(4sqrt{2}-5sqrt{2})\
&=-sqrt{w^3}sqrt{2}=-wsqrt{2w}.
end{align}$$
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Thanks for the answer, I follow and understand your solution. How is it that you knew to factor $sqrt{w^3}$? After I had rewritten $sqrt{32}$ as $4sqrt{2}$ and then $sqrt{50}$ as $5sqrt{2}$ I was stumped about next steps. Is this just a practice an intuition thing or is there a prescribed set of rules and order of operations that I'm missing?
$endgroup$
– Doug Fir
Jan 6 at 18:00
2
$begingroup$
Both terms have $sqrt{w^3}$ as a factor.
$endgroup$
– KM101
Jan 6 at 18:02
1
$begingroup$
Well, I used the distributive property $x (a+b)=xa+xb $. You may find this helpful.
$endgroup$
– Thomas Shelby
Jan 6 at 18:11
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Your approach is absolutely right. But note that $$
begin{align}
sqrt{w^3}4sqrt{2}- sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}&=sqrt{w^3}(4sqrt{2}-5sqrt{2})\
&=-sqrt{w^3}sqrt{2}=-wsqrt{2w}.
end{align}$$
$endgroup$
Your approach is absolutely right. But note that $$
begin{align}
sqrt{w^3}4sqrt{2}- sqrt{w^3}5sqrt{2}&=sqrt{w^3}(4sqrt{2}-5sqrt{2})\
&=-sqrt{w^3}sqrt{2}=-wsqrt{2w}.
end{align}$$
edited Jan 6 at 18:39
thesmallprint
2,6211618
2,6211618
answered Jan 6 at 17:51
Thomas ShelbyThomas Shelby
2,250220
2,250220
1
$begingroup$
Thanks for the answer, I follow and understand your solution. How is it that you knew to factor $sqrt{w^3}$? After I had rewritten $sqrt{32}$ as $4sqrt{2}$ and then $sqrt{50}$ as $5sqrt{2}$ I was stumped about next steps. Is this just a practice an intuition thing or is there a prescribed set of rules and order of operations that I'm missing?
$endgroup$
– Doug Fir
Jan 6 at 18:00
2
$begingroup$
Both terms have $sqrt{w^3}$ as a factor.
$endgroup$
– KM101
Jan 6 at 18:02
1
$begingroup$
Well, I used the distributive property $x (a+b)=xa+xb $. You may find this helpful.
$endgroup$
– Thomas Shelby
Jan 6 at 18:11
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
Thanks for the answer, I follow and understand your solution. How is it that you knew to factor $sqrt{w^3}$? After I had rewritten $sqrt{32}$ as $4sqrt{2}$ and then $sqrt{50}$ as $5sqrt{2}$ I was stumped about next steps. Is this just a practice an intuition thing or is there a prescribed set of rules and order of operations that I'm missing?
$endgroup$
– Doug Fir
Jan 6 at 18:00
2
$begingroup$
Both terms have $sqrt{w^3}$ as a factor.
$endgroup$
– KM101
Jan 6 at 18:02
1
$begingroup$
Well, I used the distributive property $x (a+b)=xa+xb $. You may find this helpful.
$endgroup$
– Thomas Shelby
Jan 6 at 18:11
1
1
$begingroup$
Thanks for the answer, I follow and understand your solution. How is it that you knew to factor $sqrt{w^3}$? After I had rewritten $sqrt{32}$ as $4sqrt{2}$ and then $sqrt{50}$ as $5sqrt{2}$ I was stumped about next steps. Is this just a practice an intuition thing or is there a prescribed set of rules and order of operations that I'm missing?
$endgroup$
– Doug Fir
Jan 6 at 18:00
$begingroup$
Thanks for the answer, I follow and understand your solution. How is it that you knew to factor $sqrt{w^3}$? After I had rewritten $sqrt{32}$ as $4sqrt{2}$ and then $sqrt{50}$ as $5sqrt{2}$ I was stumped about next steps. Is this just a practice an intuition thing or is there a prescribed set of rules and order of operations that I'm missing?
$endgroup$
– Doug Fir
Jan 6 at 18:00
2
2
$begingroup$
Both terms have $sqrt{w^3}$ as a factor.
$endgroup$
– KM101
Jan 6 at 18:02
$begingroup$
Both terms have $sqrt{w^3}$ as a factor.
$endgroup$
– KM101
Jan 6 at 18:02
1
1
$begingroup$
Well, I used the distributive property $x (a+b)=xa+xb $. You may find this helpful.
$endgroup$
– Thomas Shelby
Jan 6 at 18:11
$begingroup$
Well, I used the distributive property $x (a+b)=xa+xb $. You may find this helpful.
$endgroup$
– Thomas Shelby
Jan 6 at 18:11
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You are on the right track to simplify $ w^frac{3}{2} sqrt{32} - w^frac{3}{2} sqrt{50} $ to as far as
$$mathrm{(1)} qquad sqrt{w^3} 4 sqrt{2} - sqrt{w^3} 5 sqrt{2} $$
I would make expression $ (1) $ neater and rewrite as
$$mathrm{(2)} qquad 4 sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} - 5 sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} $$
These two terms are alike, and combining the two yields
$$mathrm{(3)} qquad -sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} $$
According to one of the properties of radicals, $ sqrt{a} sqrt{b} = sqrt{ab} $. Using that property and rearranging,
$$mathrm{(4)} qquad -sqrt{2w^3} $$
Now $ w^3 $ can be expressed as a product involving a perfect square (i.e. $ w^2 $) and a non-perfect square ($ w $). Expression $ (4) $ becomes
$$mathrm{(5)} qquad -sqrt{2w w^2} $$
Simplify to get the desired result
$$ -w sqrt{2w} $$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You are on the right track to simplify $ w^frac{3}{2} sqrt{32} - w^frac{3}{2} sqrt{50} $ to as far as
$$mathrm{(1)} qquad sqrt{w^3} 4 sqrt{2} - sqrt{w^3} 5 sqrt{2} $$
I would make expression $ (1) $ neater and rewrite as
$$mathrm{(2)} qquad 4 sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} - 5 sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} $$
These two terms are alike, and combining the two yields
$$mathrm{(3)} qquad -sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} $$
According to one of the properties of radicals, $ sqrt{a} sqrt{b} = sqrt{ab} $. Using that property and rearranging,
$$mathrm{(4)} qquad -sqrt{2w^3} $$
Now $ w^3 $ can be expressed as a product involving a perfect square (i.e. $ w^2 $) and a non-perfect square ($ w $). Expression $ (4) $ becomes
$$mathrm{(5)} qquad -sqrt{2w w^2} $$
Simplify to get the desired result
$$ -w sqrt{2w} $$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You are on the right track to simplify $ w^frac{3}{2} sqrt{32} - w^frac{3}{2} sqrt{50} $ to as far as
$$mathrm{(1)} qquad sqrt{w^3} 4 sqrt{2} - sqrt{w^3} 5 sqrt{2} $$
I would make expression $ (1) $ neater and rewrite as
$$mathrm{(2)} qquad 4 sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} - 5 sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} $$
These two terms are alike, and combining the two yields
$$mathrm{(3)} qquad -sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} $$
According to one of the properties of radicals, $ sqrt{a} sqrt{b} = sqrt{ab} $. Using that property and rearranging,
$$mathrm{(4)} qquad -sqrt{2w^3} $$
Now $ w^3 $ can be expressed as a product involving a perfect square (i.e. $ w^2 $) and a non-perfect square ($ w $). Expression $ (4) $ becomes
$$mathrm{(5)} qquad -sqrt{2w w^2} $$
Simplify to get the desired result
$$ -w sqrt{2w} $$
$endgroup$
You are on the right track to simplify $ w^frac{3}{2} sqrt{32} - w^frac{3}{2} sqrt{50} $ to as far as
$$mathrm{(1)} qquad sqrt{w^3} 4 sqrt{2} - sqrt{w^3} 5 sqrt{2} $$
I would make expression $ (1) $ neater and rewrite as
$$mathrm{(2)} qquad 4 sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} - 5 sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} $$
These two terms are alike, and combining the two yields
$$mathrm{(3)} qquad -sqrt{w^3} sqrt{2} $$
According to one of the properties of radicals, $ sqrt{a} sqrt{b} = sqrt{ab} $. Using that property and rearranging,
$$mathrm{(4)} qquad -sqrt{2w^3} $$
Now $ w^3 $ can be expressed as a product involving a perfect square (i.e. $ w^2 $) and a non-perfect square ($ w $). Expression $ (4) $ becomes
$$mathrm{(5)} qquad -sqrt{2w w^2} $$
Simplify to get the desired result
$$ -w sqrt{2w} $$
answered Jan 6 at 18:34
Marvin CohenMarvin Cohen
43115
43115
add a comment |
add a comment |
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