Rationalize each denominator. See Example 8. (√2 - √3)/(√6 - √5)
Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 45m
- 1. Measuring Angles40m
- 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
Problem 141
Textbook Question
Simplify. See Example 9. (√3/2)/(1 - (√3/2))
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the expression to simplify: \(\frac{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}{1 - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}\).
Rewrite the complex fraction as a division of two fractions: \(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \div \left(1 - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\).
Simplify the denominator by expressing 1 as \(\frac{2}{2}\) to have a common denominator: \(1 - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = \frac{2}{2} - \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = \frac{2 - \sqrt{3}}{2}\).
Rewrite the division as multiplication by the reciprocal: \(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \times \frac{2}{2 - \sqrt{3}}\).
Cancel common factors if possible and then rationalize the denominator by multiplying numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator, which is \(2 + \sqrt{3}\).
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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, such as square roots, from the denominator of a fraction. This is typically done by multiplying the numerator and denominator by a conjugate or an appropriate radical to simplify the expression.
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Rationalizing Denominators
Conjugates in Algebra
The conjugate of a binomial expression a + b is a - b, and vice versa. Multiplying by the conjugate helps remove square roots from denominators because it uses the difference of squares formula, resulting in a rational number.
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Complex Conjugates
Simplifying Square Roots and Fractions
Simplifying square roots involves expressing them in simplest radical form, while simplifying fractions means reducing them to their lowest terms. Combining these skills helps in rewriting expressions in a clearer, more manageable form.
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Imaginary Roots with the Square Root Property
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