Simplify. See Example 9. (√7/5)/(√3/10)
Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 45m
- 1. Measuring Angles40m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
0. Review of College Algebra
Rationalizing Denominators
Problem 149
Textbook Question
For Individual or Group Work (Exercises 147 – 150)In calculus, it is sometimes desirable to rationalize a numerator. To do this, we multiply the numerator and the denominator by the conjugate of the numerator. For example, (6 - √2)/4 = (6 - √2)/4 × (6 + √2)/(6 + √2) = (36 - 2)/(4(6 + √2)) = 34/(4(6 + √2)) = 17/(2(6 + √2)) = 17/(6 + √2).
2√10 + √7 30
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the expression to rationalize: the numerator is \(2\sqrt{10} + \sqrt{7}\) and the denominator is 30.
To rationalize the numerator, multiply both the numerator and the denominator by the conjugate of the numerator. The conjugate of \(2\sqrt{10} + \sqrt{7}\) is \(2\sqrt{10} - \sqrt{7}\).
Set up the multiplication: multiply numerator and denominator by \(2\sqrt{10} - \sqrt{7}\), so the expression becomes \(\frac{(2\sqrt{10} + \sqrt{7})(2\sqrt{10} - \sqrt{7})}{30(2\sqrt{10} - \sqrt{7})}\).
Use the difference of squares formula for the numerator: \((a + b)(a - b) = a^2 - b^2\). Here, \(a = 2\sqrt{10}\) and \(b = \sqrt{7}\), so calculate \(a^2 - b^2\).
Simplify the numerator by squaring each term: \(a^2 = (2\sqrt{10})^2\) and \(b^2 = (\sqrt{7})^2\), then subtract to get the rationalized numerator. The denominator remains as \(30(2\sqrt{10} - \sqrt{7})\).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Rationalizing the Numerator
Rationalizing the numerator involves eliminating radicals from the numerator of a fraction by multiplying both numerator and denominator by a suitable expression, often the conjugate. This process simplifies expressions and makes them easier to work with, especially in calculus and algebra.
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Rationalizing Denominators
Conjugates in Algebra
The conjugate of a binomial expression a + b√c is a - b√c, and vice versa. Multiplying an expression by its conjugate uses the difference of squares formula, which removes the square root terms, resulting in a rational number or simpler expression.
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Complex Conjugates
Difference of Squares Formula
The difference of squares formula states that (x + y)(x - y) = x² - y². This identity is crucial when multiplying conjugates because it eliminates radicals by turning the product into the difference of two squares, simplifying expressions with square roots.
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Verifying Identities with Sum and Difference Formulas
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