Advanced Math/Algebra

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Expert: Sherry Wallin - 7/21/2010


Question
Explain why 5/√2 is not simplified and demonstrate the steps we must take to simplify it.

Answer
Tuwana~

The reason 5/√2 is not simplified is because you are not allowed to leave a radical in the denominator or in other words, the denominator must be a rational number. How do you change this? Find a number that you can multiply the denominator by that makes it a rational number. Square root of 2 is irrational but if you multiply it by itself you have
√2√2 = 2. Bear in mind you just increased the denominator by a factor of √2 so you must also do the same to the numerator: 5√2 therefore the answer is 5√2/4

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Sherry Wallin

Expertise

I can answer most questions up through Calculus and some in Number Theory and Abstract Algebra.

Experience

I have had my Bachelor's Degree since 1987 and have been a teacher since 1988. I earned my Masters Degree in Mathematics May 2010. I have been teaching at the same community college since 2002.

Education/Credentials
I have taught 12 years at the community college level, medical college, and technical college as well as a high school instructor and alternative education instructor and charter school instructor.

Awards and Honors
Master's GPA 3.56 Bachelor's GPA 3.34 Post grad work not degree related GPA 4.0

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