Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
- 1. Measuring Angles39m
- 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
4:06 minutes
Problem 123
Textbook Question
Textbook QuestionRationalize each denominator. See Example 8. 18 —— √27
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Rationalizing the Denominator
Rationalizing the denominator involves eliminating any irrational numbers from the denominator of a fraction. This is typically achieved by multiplying both the numerator and the denominator by a suitable expression that will result in a rational number in the denominator. For example, if the denominator is a square root, multiplying by the same square root can help achieve this.
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Rationalizing Denominators
Properties of Square Roots
Understanding the properties of square roots is essential for rationalizing denominators. The square root of a product can be expressed as the product of the square roots, and the square root of a quotient can be expressed as the quotient of the square roots. This knowledge allows for simplification and manipulation of expressions involving square roots.
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Simplifying Radicals
Simplifying radicals involves reducing a square root to its simplest form, which often includes factoring out perfect squares. For instance, √27 can be simplified to 3√3, as 27 is 9 times 3, and 9 is a perfect square. This simplification is crucial when rationalizing denominators, as it leads to a clearer and more manageable expression.
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