How do you simplify (5sqrt15) /( 3sqrt27) ?

1 Answer
Mar 11, 2016

Same thing. Just a very slightly different presentation!

(5sqrt(5))/9

Explanation:

The answer given was stopped at (5sqrt(5))/(3sqrt(9))

color(red)("'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Something to think about! ~~~~~~~~~~~")

It is considered better mathematical practice if you 'get rid' of any roots that are in the denominator (bottom number)

The method is based on: Multiply any number by 1 and you do not change its inherent value

So (5sqrt(5))/(3sqrt(9))xx1 does not change its value

Suppose we wrote 1 as (sqrt(9))/(sqrt(9))

This is still 1

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color(blue)("Back to solving the question")

Multiply by 1 but in the form of (sqrt(9))/(sqrt(9)) giving

(5sqrt(5))/(3sqrt(9))xx(sqrt(9))/(sqrt(9))" "=" "(5sqrt(5)sqrt(9))/(3sqrt(9)sqrt(9))

(5sqrt(5)sqrt(9))/(3xx9)

But sqrt(9)=3 giving:

(5xx3xxsqrt(5))/(3xx9)" "=" " 3/3xx(5sqrt(5))/9

But 3/3=1 giving:

(5sqrt(5))/9