Intermediate Algebra for College Students (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13417-894-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-13417-894-3

Chapter 7 - Section 7.5 - Multiplying with More Than One Term and Rationalizing Denominators - Exercise Set - Page 550: 98

Answer

$\displaystyle \frac{x-16}{x-4\sqrt{x}}$

Work Step by Step

We lose the square roots in the numerator by applying the difference of squares formula: $(a\sqrt{x}+b\sqrt{y})(a\sqrt{x}-b\sqrt{y})=(a\sqrt{x})^{2}-(b\sqrt{y})^{2}$ $=a^{2}x-b^{2}y$ $\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{x}+4}{\sqrt{x}}\color{red}{ \cdot\frac{\sqrt{x}-4}{\sqrt{x}-4} }\qquad$ (rationalize) $=\displaystyle \frac{(\sqrt{x})^{2}-4^{2}}{\sqrt{x}(\sqrt{x}-4)}$ $=\displaystyle \frac{x-16}{(\sqrt{x})^{2}-4\sqrt{x}}$ $=\displaystyle \frac{x-16}{x-4\sqrt{x}}$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.