Expert: Sherman D. - 6/23/2004

Question
How do you multiply the following:

(2 - (sqrt)3 ) (2 - (sqrt)3 )

this is what I have come up with so far:

4 - 2(sqrt)3 - 2(sqrt)3 + 2(sqrt)9

Answer
(2 - sqrt(3)) * (2 - sqrt(3))

(2 * 2) + (2 * -sqrt(3)) + (2 * -sqrt(3)) + (-sqrt(3) * -sqrt(3))

4 - 2sqrt(3) - 2sqrt(3) + ((-1 * -1)(sqrt(3) * sqrt(3))

4 + (-2 - 2)sqrt(3) + (1 * (sqrt(3))^2)

4 + (-2 + (-2))sqrt(3) + sqrt(9)

4 - 4sqrt(3) + 3

(4 + 3) - 4sqrt(3)

7 - 4sqrt(3)

Keep in mind that the sqrt(9) = 3

also since both the -2 have sqrt(3) after them, you can combined like this -2 - 2 = -2 + (-2) = -4

Anymore questions, just let me know.