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if there are two numbers with squares under a radical are both the squares canceled out by the radical?

 Mar 31, 2015

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+128079 
+5

Be careful here!!!!

We can "cancel" multiplication/division .....i.e.,    √[a^2 * b^2]  = a * b   or  √[a^2/b^2] =  a/b   {assuming a and b are positive}

But .... we can't "cancel" addition/subtraction....

In general ....  √[a^2 ± b^2]    a^2 ± b^2

This is a common mistake....!!!!

 

  

 Mar 31, 2015
 #1
avatar+128079 
+5
Best Answer

Be careful here!!!!

We can "cancel" multiplication/division .....i.e.,    √[a^2 * b^2]  = a * b   or  √[a^2/b^2] =  a/b   {assuming a and b are positive}

But .... we can't "cancel" addition/subtraction....

In general ....  √[a^2 ± b^2]    a^2 ± b^2

This is a common mistake....!!!!

 

  

CPhill Mar 31, 2015
 #2
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0

Yes, i think that is the distribution property

 Mar 31, 2015

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