simplifying radical expressions
the square root of sixty
We have:
sqrt{60} =
We have to break the radicand down (our 60).
What two numbers (one of them must be a perfect square) multiplied together will produce 60?
How about sqrt{4} times sqrt{15}?
Yes, sqrt{4} times sqrt{15} = sqrt{60} and the sqrt{4} is a perfect square.
sqrt{60} = 2 times sqrt{15}
Where did 2 come from?
sqrt{4} = 2, right?
We cannot break the sqrt{15} anymore because it is already in lowest terms.
Final answer:
2(sqrt{15}), which is read:
"two times the square root of fifthteen."