Intermediate Algebra (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321785045
ISBN 13: 978-0-32178-504-6

Chapter 7 - Section 7.5 - Rationalizing Denominators and Numerators of Radical Expressions - Exercise Set - Page 445: 78

Answer

$\dfrac{23}{5\sqrt{2x}-2\sqrt{x}}$

Work Step by Step

Multiplying by the conjugate of the numerator, the rationalized (numerator) form of the given expression, $ \dfrac{5+\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{2x}} ,$ is \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} \dfrac{5+\sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{2x}}\cdot\dfrac{5-\sqrt{2}}{5-\sqrt{2}} \\= \dfrac{(5+\sqrt{2})(5-\sqrt{2})}{\sqrt{2x}(5-\sqrt{2})} .\end{array} Using the product of the sum and difference of like terms which is given by $(a+b)(a-b)=a^2-b^2,$ the expression above is equivalent \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} \dfrac{(5)^2-(\sqrt{2})^2}{\sqrt{2x}(5-\sqrt{2})} \\= \dfrac{25-2}{\sqrt{2x}(5-\sqrt{2})} \\= \dfrac{23}{\sqrt{2x}(5-\sqrt{2})} .\end{array} Using the Distributive Property which is given by $a(b+c)=ab+ac,$ the expression above is equivalent to \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} \dfrac{23}{\sqrt{2x}(5)+\sqrt{2x}(-\sqrt{2})} \\= \dfrac{23}{5\sqrt{2x}-\sqrt{2x(2)}} \\= \dfrac{23}{5\sqrt{2x}-\sqrt{4x}} \\= \dfrac{23}{5\sqrt{2x}-2\sqrt{x}} .\end{array}
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