How do you simplify sqrt(320y^2)?

1 Answer
Apr 30, 2016

sqrt(320y^2) = 8sqrt(5)abs(y)

Explanation:

If a, b >= 0 then sqrt(ab) = sqrt(a)sqrt(b)

In our example, we know that y^2 = abs(y)^2 >= 0

In addition note that 320 = 64*5 = 8^2*5

So:

sqrt(320y^2) = sqrt(8^2*5*abs(y)^2) = sqrt(8^2)*sqrt(5)*sqrt(abs(y)^2) = 8sqrt(5)abs(y)